Paul Merson admitted he was a big fan of Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker ahead of the Reds facing off with Manchester United on Sunday.
The Sky Sports pundit was discussing the Reds’ upcoming clash with their rivals and was asked to share how good he thought the Brazilian shot-stopper was.
Merson proceeded to heap praise on Alisson and shared that he thought the goalkeeper’s displays, particularly against Everton and Napoli, had already paid back his transfer fee.
“I like him,” said Merson on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday (Sky Sports News, 12:50, Saturday December 15).
“I think he is a good goalkeeper, you’re paid to make big saves in big big football matches and he has done that Jeff.
“Y’know he has made a couple of mistakes along the way this season but he is there to make big saves in big games, Everton and Napoli, he’s probably paid the money back already in my opinion.
“I’m a big fan of his and because of his confidence, I wouldn’t say arrogance, I’d say confidence I think that drags through to the back four and everyone else.
“I think they see someone, I think the other two goalkeepers weren’t bad, but I always felt they were oh my god I hope I don’t make a mistake this week, I hope, and it was felt by the back four and midfield.
“But this bloke he is good, good.”
OPINION
There were doubts everywhere ahead of Alisson featuring for the Reds this season as many were dubious whether the goalkeeper could live up to his huge price tag. The Reds shocked everyone by spending £67million (Source: Sky Sports) on signing Alisson and it’s fair to share the goalie has made their decision look justified. The 26-year-old has kept 12 clean sheets in his 22 appearances for the club so far and has only conceded 13 as it stands. With Alisson at the back, the Reds look more like genuine title contenders so it’s hard to find a flaw in Merson’s logic when it comes to him claiming that the player has already justified his transfer fee. Hopefully for Jurgen Klopp and the Reds’ sake Alisson continues to deliver the goods between the sticks as the season progresses as you feel the Brazilian could be a key factor in deciding how much silverware ends up in the Anfield trophy cabinet.
