Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has highlighted the impact that goalkeeper Alisson will make this season for Liverpool, saying that the Brazil international will help them answer ‘the questions that need to be answered’ in the Premier League.
Liverpool spent a world-record fee of £67million on the 25-year-old stopper from Roma this summer, and he impressed on his second start for the club against Crystal Palace on Monday.
Speaking to Sky Sports on Monday Night Football, Neville has now picked out Alisson as ‘one to watch’ this season, and explained his choice.
“At the end of last season when Jurgen Klopp said he was going to keep faith with the two goalkeepers he had, I thought it was strange. I didn’t see how that could happen if Liverpool were going to genuinely challenge for the title.
“I watched Alisson and he looked good with his feet, though a few things came off him from parrying. He passed his first test against Crystal Palace and I’m not necessarily looking forward to watching him, but I chose him in terms of answering the questions that need to be answered in a new league.”
OPINION
It seems strange to see Neville choose Alisson for his ‘one to watch’ yet declare he’s not looking forward to watching him, but he does explain his logic. The Brazil international stopper will indeed be a key asset for the Reds this season, with the club struggling for a reliable presence in goal for several seasons. His form for Roma and Brazil over the past two seasons or so has been breathtaking, and should that continue for Liverpool then Alisson will most certainly be one to watch this season. He has a long portfolio of stunning saves and once he gains more confidence in the Premier League environment we will most certainly be treated to some match-winning interventions from the 25-year-old. His performance against Palace was assured in many ways, but his handling could do with some improvement after a few parries that could have been catches. As long as he is keeping clean sheets then that will not be a problem however, and having a player like Virgil van Dijk in front of him will help no end.
