Liverpool’s goalkeeper coach Jack Robinson has admitted that Reds star goalkeeper Alisson Becker is so comfortable with the ball at his feet that he looks like Italy legend “Andrea Pirlo” during training sessions.
Andrea Pirlo
The Brazilian goalkeeper was signed from Serie A club AS Roma back in the summer of 2018 for a fee of £65 million which made him the world’s most expensive goalkeeper back then.
There were plenty of eyebrows raised following the big-money deal as Alisson had spent only one season at the Italian capital following his move to Anfield. However, nearly two seasons later, the 27-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
The Reds were struggling for a strong goalkeeper to provide a stable backline in the last line of defence in the recent past but since Alisson arrived there has been a certain level of consistency.
Alisson’s place between the posts has pushed Liverpool to success in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup and has been a key part for Jurgen Klopp’s footballing philosophy due to being composed with the ball at his feet as he is keeping opponents out with his hands.
In fact, Liverpool’s goalkeeping coach Robinson spoke to the club’s official website hailing the assuredness of Alisson comparing the Brazilian with World Cup winner Andrea Pirlo, “Unbelievable! He’s like Pirlo or someone like that. He’s really comfortable on the ball and wants to receive it under pressure. Like you see in the games, that nerve strength, that calmness, he’s able to play when there’s chaos all around him”
Robinson further revealed that Alisson always switches on and looking for his teammates that can counter if a move is possible while also easing the pressure if the Merseyside club needs a release, “If a team is pressing high up the pitch, there’s obviously space in behind them. You see with Alisson and the runs that Mo [Salah], Sadio [Mane] or Bobby [Firmino] make or one of the midfielders might make, we look to play beyond the team as well. It’s exploiting where space is. If teams drop off, it should be simple and easy to play out to the centre-halves and midfielders. The nature of how our team plays, we’re a fast attacking team. We look to break quickly, so the goalkeepers are always looking to keep the pace and momentum of the game going.”
3/10 – Alisson is the first Liverpool goalkeeper to assist a Premier League goal since Pepe Reina set-up Fernando Torres against Sunderland in March 2010. Scope. #LIVMUN pic.twitter.com/AnIoP3LXAK
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 19, 2020
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