Highlighting Alisson's importance as Liverpool chase second Premier League title
There has been ample goalkeeper discourse in the Premier League this season. A number of top teams changed their first choice over the summer, with Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham all bringing in new number ones. Andre Onana's shortcomings have been magnified by United's poor start to the campaign, while the debate between who should feature between the sticks for the Gunners continues to rage on.
With the sub-par performances by the likes of Onana and David Raya magnified, those who have shone for their respective sides have gone somewhat under the radar. Guglielmo Vicario has become an immediate fan favourite at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Robert Sanchez has perhaps performed better than some expected following his summer arrival from Brighton. In all the hubbub of goalkeeper chat, one has quietly gone about his business and been key in his side's title push.
No team has conceded fewer goals than Liverpool (15) in the Premier League this season and while Alisson has missed two of the Reds' 16 league matches this term, 20% of their total goals conceded came in one of two games the Brazilian missed. Much has been made of Liverpool this season, be it the successful overhaul of their midfield, Trent Alexander-Arnold's recent return to creator-in-chief for Jurgen Klopp's side or Virgil van Dijk's outstanding performances in a Reds shirt, yet it's only recently that Alisson has come in for widespread praise.
Much of that came due to his absence. While Liverpool kept a clean sheet at Sheffield United without Alisson, the same defensive solidity was found wanting in the late 4-3 win over Fulham. Liverpool's number one returned for the hard-fought 2-1 win at Crystal Palace last weekend and really showcased his importance to the Merseyside outfit with an outstanding stop to deny Jefferson Lerma in the 27th minute.
For a Liverpool side that does concede so many shots, too, they need a goalkeeper as consistent as Alisson as the last line of defence. 12.1 shots conceded per game may rank as the fifth fewest in the division but is also a return level with Crystal Palace and places Klopp's side only slightly higher than Fulham (12.4) and Merseyside rivals Everton (12.5). By comparison, title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal are letting up just 8.3 shots per game, which serves to further magnify Alisson's importance.
With an average of 3.2 saves per 90, that the ninth best in the Premier League, Alisson is more than up to the task of repelling opposition threats. This is reinforced in that a save success rate of 83.9% is better than any other goalkeeper in England's top tier this term. Yet it's not just the easy chances that Alisson is denying but the more difficult opportunities that an opponent is expected to score.
Take the Lerma chance at Selhurst Park for example, this was deemed to be a clear-cut goalscoring opportunity and for good reason, with the Colombian presented with a golden chance by Jordan Ayew to put the Eagles ahead. Alisson's cat-like reflexes kept the scores level on Liverpool's way to an important victory. As was alluded to, Liverpool concede a number of chances, which is why their shots conceded per game return is as high as it is.
Given the high intensity approach, this shouldn't come as a surprise, and means that Alisson has faced a total of 29 clear-cut goalscoring opportunities across 14 Premier League appearances this season. By comparison, Ederson has faced 20, while Raya and Ramsdale combined have also faced 20. Yet again, though, Alisson has been equal to the efforts on goal he has faced. Of goalkeepers to have made more than five appearances, the 31-year-old has the best big chance save success rate (66.7%) in the Premier League this season conceding just seven of the 21 of these opportunities that have been on target.
It's clear, then, that Liverpool have the best shotstopper in the Premier League, and the stats back up that notion. With a WhoScored rating of 6.84, this is also Alisson's third best rated Premier League campaign of his career. Many have been quick to point out that Van Dijk looks back to his best, and the same applies to Alisson. He is absolutely vital to the way the Reds play, whether it's his ability to keep opponents out or in instigating attacks from the back.
As one might expect, a pass success rate of 82.5% is among the best in the Premier League, while 36.6 passes per game also ranks high. This is crucial for a Reds outfit that ranks fifth for possession (59.3%) and is keen to get the ball forward quickly in order to break forward at speed against unsuspecting opponents. Liverpool, after all, rank fifth for attemted counter attacks (11) in the Premier League this season, and top for counter-attacking goals (4). They have speedy personnel in the final third that can be exploited with the right build-up play, and utilising Alisson as the 11th outfielder is key.
Liverpool fans may have appreciated the spotlight being thrust upon other goalkeepers but there is no denying that Alisson warrants the praise being thrown his way. Maintain his flying form between the sticks and Liverpool stand as good a chance as any at pipping their Premier League rivals to the title come May.
