Sport
Becker has re-asserted himself as the best goalkeeper in the world.
Liverpool needed Alisson Becker to secure three points against Wolves. What was a comfortable match for the Premier League leaders quickly became a nervy affair after the visitors to Anfield pulled a goal back to make it 2-1. Alisson was required to make one save in particular to get his team over the line.
It wasn’t so long ago that the Brazilian was facing questions over his future as Liverpool’s number one. He spent a period of the season on the sidelines through injury, giving Caoimhin Kelleher the opportunity to underline his quality through a series of impressive performances. Arne Slot had a difficult decision to make on which keeper to favour when Alisson was fit again.
Or at least, that was the media narrative. Slot was always quick to insist Alisson would be back in the Liverpool lineup as quickly as possible and the 32-year-old has since re-established himself as the Reds’ number one. In fact, Alisson has reminded us all why he is currently the best goalkeeper in world football.
There is plenty to catch the eye when watching Liverpool. Mohamed Salah is in the form of his life and putting together arguably the great individual Premier League season in history. Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz are also enjoying their best individual seasons as Liverpool players with Diogo Jota back from injury too.
In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch have forged a partnership stronger than any other central pairing in the Premier League with Virgil van Dijk back to his best in the defensive line. Trent Alexander-Arnold hasn’t been bad either in what could be his final season as a Liverpool player.
Alisson, however, is the one-man safety net who has ensured Liverpool’s strength at the back. He is physically imposing, both in making saves and coming for crosses to relieve pressure on his defenders, and is good enough on the ball to start possession moves from deep. He is a modern goalkeeper in the latter sense.
Some of Liverpool’s rivals have found out just how difficult it is to find a modern goalkeeper who can still give them a sense of defensive security. Look at Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez, for instance, who has made more mistakes leading to goals than any other player in the Premier League so far this season.
In Alisson, though, Liverpool have a goalkeeper who has it all – incredible reflexes, physical strength, ability on the ball and an intangible aura. Opposition strikers shrink around the Brazilian. He is comfortably the most imposing goalkeeper in the Premier League right now even taking into account Ederson and David Raya.
This season could be a special one for Alisson and his Liverpool teammates. They are sitting seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table and are among the favourites to go the distance in the Champions League having finished top of the 32-team table, winning seven out of eight matches.
On top of this, Liverpool have a Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United next month to look forward to. While the shock loss to Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup was a painful one, the Anfield side could finish the 2024/25 season with three trophies in-hand. They way they’re going, that is an entirely feasible outcome.
If that were to happen, Alisson would warrant acclaim as a key figure throughout the season. Salah might pick up the individual awards, but the Brazilian goalkeeper’s contribution has been just as important to Liverpool playing at their full potential. Kelleher is good, but nobody is as good as Alisson.
