Alisson Becker: Liverpool’s goalkeeper has shattered a huge decade long goalkeeping record in the Premier League.
Alisson Becker was a monstrous goalkeeper before he made a then goalkeeper world record move for a sum of £65 million last summer. The Reds were totally downhearted after Loris Karius’ display in the UEFA Champions League final in Kyiv last May.
The German International received so many abuses and criticism throughout the summer, but Liverpool hoped that their goalkeeper would have lost the serenity about that nightmare errors which cost them the silverware. He was solicited to attend the pre-season camp and it did not go well for the former Mainz goalkeeper who pledged to errors in the friendly games once again.
That coerced the English outfit to chase their long-term target, Alisson Becker. The 26-year-old had the best save percentage in Europe last season and attracted interest from plenty of top clubs. Jurgen Klopp was able to shrug off the interest of Real Madrid and Chelsea who would fit his ball playing bill perfectly.
The Brazilian International has balanced the backline with Virgil Van Dijk by imposing total calmness at the back. He has saved Liverpool on plenty of occasions, including the last-minute save against Napoli which carried Liverpool to the knockout stages of the competition. They could end up landing the silverware after their progression to the semifinals of the competition.
He committed a horrendous error against Leicester City by unnecessarily taking a risk with his feet leading to a goal. Since that horror moment at King Power Stadium, Brazil’s number one has been playing it safe for Liverpool. Albeit all these moments, he continues to be comfortable with his feet which is one of the major advantages of his game.
The proofs blather that he is arguably the best goalkeeper in the last year. Shot-stopping is the cardinal job for any goalkeeper in the world in which Alisson has done with uttermost dexterity. The Brazilian has been the best shot-stopper in the Premier League having saved 83.1% os shots he has faced.
Besides being comfortable in the air, Alisson has been able to keep clean sheets since he has signed for Liverpool. The Reds goalkeeper has 19 clean sheets in a Premier League campaign with three games to play. By shutting down the opponent attackers for numerous games, he has the highest since Edwin Van Der Sar kept 21 clean sheets for Manchester United in 2008/09 season.
His crucial saves against Manchester United, Burnley, Brighton and Hove Albion, etc have helped Jurgen Klopp’s side to charge for the Premier League title.
His athleticism and lighting reflexes are some of the great attributes which have not been brought into the light because of his incredible positioning which makes himself to be considered as one of the best. If he continues to produce the same output for a great number of years to come, he would be judged as one of the best goalkeepers to embraced the game despite staying under the shadows of Jan Oblak and David De Gea.
Should his compatriot Ederson keep a clean sheet in the forthcoming game, he would equal Alisson’s tally. But, given the kinder fixtures for Liverpool, the latter is expected to finish at the top of the pile to win the golden glove.
It has been a fascinating contest as Liverpool and Manchester City breathe down their necks once in every three days to produce a dramatic title race this campaign. The English outfit are currently on 88 points having played a game more than Manchester City, who are two points adrift of the Reds.
