Alisson Becker’s stupendous performance against Paris Saint-Germain earned Liverpool a 1-0 win in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match on Wednesday, March 5.
Liverpool were dominated throughout the match, but just did about enough to hang on, primarily through Alisson’s magnificent performance, and managed to grind out a victory.
Alisson denied Ousmane Dembele and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia repeatedly to keep the Reds in the match.
The 32-year-old Brazilian goalkeeper flung himself into the air frequently to keep the Liverpool goal safe.
Is Alisson Becker the Best Goalkeeper Right Now?
Alisson was signed by Liverpool after the 2018 FIFA World Cup and is into his seventh season at the club.
He has since registered 289 appearances for the Reds, winning a Champions League and a Premier League title in the process.
The big goalkeeper’s commanding presence inside the penalty box has been a boon for Liverpool so often in recent times.
He is a very good shot-stopper, too, thus always making it difficult for the opposition forwards to score a goal.
In the ongoing season, Alisson has not managed to play regularly because of some injury issues, but his performance on Wednesday underlined his importance for the club.
The Brazilian has kept eight clean sheets in 20 Premier League matches this season, which is the joint-highest in the league.
Aside from Emi Martinez, the World Cup winner with Argentina who plays for Aston Villa, and Ederson, there is hardly any other goalkeeper who can match Alisson’s standards in the Premier League.
In the other leagues, there is the veteran Manuel Neuer of Bayern Munich and Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid, who can compete with Alisson for the crown of the best goalkeeper in the world.
It goes without saying that Alisson has been helped by a strong Liverpool defence ahead of him.
Virgil van Dijk is probably the greatest centre-back in the world, with Ibrahima Konate being an able ally.
Then there is Ryan Gravenberch, who is having the greatest season of his career.
However, what Alisson has been doing is still very commendable. He will have to continue performing this way if Arne Slot’s men are to win a coveted double of Champions League and Premier League this season.
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Liverpool’s Second Leg Against
The Reds will take on PSG in the second leg of their tie next week. Prior to that, they will play in a Premier League match against Southampton, the team that is at the bottom of the league table.
The Reds might field a second-string team against the Saints, keeping the match against PSG in mind.
It remains to be seen whether Alisson plays in the match against Southampton. He will, however, continue to be a very vital component of the Liverpool team in the clash against PSG.
Slot will rely on him to deliver yet another memorable performance against the French side, who will undoubtedly come hard at Liverpool in the second leg next week.
However, the Reds remain the favorites to go through to the quarterfinal.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Le Pictorium
Recording Date: 05.03.2025