After a multi-million-pound transfer, the large presence of the Brazilian shot-stopping magic that is Alisson Becker, had a lot of pressure on his shoulders. But my word, hasn’t he performed, with the Liverbird on his chest. This player analysis will look into Alisson Becker’s first season at Anfield and his form for Brazil during that time, using statistics.
A hat-trick of golden gloves during his first full season at Anfield has catapulted the former-Roma goalkeeper into a class of the ultimate stardom. His composure, his cool, his presence and the confidence he brings to his defenders in front of him, is the reason why the 26-year-old has completed the Champions League and Copa America double for club and country.
But of course, this came with a few key moments along the way, especially the save to stop Zielinski from scoring a winner for Napoli at Anfield back in December, keeping Liverpool in Europe. His antics at Old Trafford preventing Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard from rounding him with a strong left hand. His record in the Premier League speaks form himself, Transfer Markt recorded that the Brazilian kept 21 clean sheets and only conceded 22 goals in 38 Premier League appearances in his maiden campaign, surpassing his fellow countryman and Manchester City’s Ederson who tallied 20 shutouts.
Colossal
Even during quiet moments of Liverpool’s season, Alisson stood up and was counted during almost every aspect of the season, with Who Scored telling us that he made an average of 1.9 saves per game in the Premier League and 1.3 saves during Copa America with Brazil.
His impressive record wasn’t just in England’s top tier league competition, he also totalled up six clean sheets in the Champions League, level with Barcelona’s Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, as he went on to win his second golden glove in the space of two weeks. His achievements helped his side on the march to European glory once more as Liverpool lifted aloft “ol’ big ears’ in Madrid.
Alisson also started every match at this summer’s Copa America as Brazil won the tournament and their 9th title, beating Peru 3-1 at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, as his ascendency in relation to his player development continues to increase with gargantuan proportions. The 26-year-old kept another five clean sheets in the international continental competition and capped off a phenomenal season with a grand total of 31 clean sheets.
The Brazilian has become well renowned as a fantastic reflex shot-stopper, as well a goalkeeper that is more than capable of stopping shots from all sorts of ranges. In the space of one season, Alisson has become a part of the conversation as one of the best goalkeepers in the world and a contender for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award. Liverpool’s legend number one Ray Clemence told Sky Sports that he has all the characteristics, capabilities and talent to become an all-time great at Anfield.
It could very well be the next season at Anfield that may define Alisson as a top-class goalkeeper as a whole, with the ‘one-season wonder’ target pointed well and truly onto the nose of the Brazilian. He is well within his own capabilities to repeat the form of the last campaign, with some potential inbound players arriving at Anfield, they will feel very safe in the knowledge that there is a touch of Samba and a European and Americas champion in between the sticks.
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