BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks hailed Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson for his performance in the Reds’ goalless draw with Manchester United on Sunday.
The Brazil international was one of few standout players in a dreary afternoon at Old Trafford, and Crooks believes the former Roma man is the reason Jurgen Klopp’s team are top of the Premier League table on Monday morning.
“The save by Alisson as Jesse Lingard tried to take the ball around the Brazil international was a game changer at Old Trafford,” he wrote on the BBC Sport website. “Quite apart from anything else, I thought it was a certain goal. Would I have done exactly as Lingard did? Absolutely.
“Alisson was so alert to what the forward was about do – and took the ball so cleanly – that there was no hint of a penalty appeal. Liverpool went top of the table on Sunday all because of Alisson’s moment of sheer brilliance.”
OPINION
In a season of excellent performances, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson may have reached new heights on Sunday. He wasn’t called on as frequently as he has been at times this campaign, perhaps due to the stagnant nature of the game, but when he was he made sure he kept United out. That, after all, is the sign of a top ‘keeper. It’s all about concentration levels and maintaining focus, and the Brazilian did that superbly against United. His save from Lingard was top drawer and, as Crooks says, was a pivotal moment in the game and, potentially, the title race. The 26-year-old has made such a difference to Liverpool since joining and is now one of the most important players at the football club. Never was that more obvious than in another display of trademark excellence at Old Trafford on Sunday. If he can keep up this sort of form it’s going to very difficult to nudge the Reds from the top of the tree.
