Alisson Becker has huge hand in Champions League glory thanks to calmness and control

Save the best till last: Liverpool’s No 1 Alisson Becker has huge hand in Champions League final as calmness and control echo Ray Clemence

  • Alisson Becker produced a fine performance in the Champions League final
  • No Liverpool goalkeeper has shown such control since Ray Clemence
  • The Brazilian came into his own during a 20-minute period in the second half
  • At £64.6m, the 26-year-old has been worth every penny in his debut season 

The quiet man dashed out of the stadium without wanting to say a word. Alisson Becker does not seek the limelight and there was not going to be a sudden change after the biggest night of his career.

If Liverpool’s goalkeeper was hoping to go unnoticed, though, there was a problem. He was cradling the Champions League trophy and had no intention of letting it go.

‘Sorry guys,’ he said as he made his way to Liverpool’s coach. ‘I have to protect this.’

Liverpool’s Alisson Becker makes a save during the UEFA Champions League Final

Unintentionally, he had given an outline on his first season at Anfield. Liverpool’s goal has not been protected with such calmness, authority and control since the days of Ray Clemence. And, in a 20-minute second-half spell, he came into his own.

The Brazilian was always going to be subjected to scrutiny in Madrid. Liverpool’s last Champions League final appearance was ruined by a goalkeeper combusting, so it was appropriate to see the stark contrast between Alisson and Loris Karius.

As Tottenham began to probe and prod, Alisson was never rattled. If a cross was tossed high into his area, he nonchalantly came to pluck it from the air. His hands are safe, something he demonstrated when spinning the trophy as he made his exit.

Alisson Becker lifts the Champions League trophy at the Wanda Metropolitano

Alisson Becker lifts the Champions League trophy at the Wanda Metropolitano

But there was so much more. Tottenham’s three best opportunities were shots from Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura in quick succession, along with a thumping free-kick from Christian Eriksen. All were beaten away with the minimum of fuss.

‘We bought an expensive goalie but he paid it back with the trophy — he had a big hand in it. He’s done it in a few games,’ said John Achterberg, Liverpool’s goalkeeping coach, acknowledging his £64.6million transfer fee to leave Roma last July.

Roma had asked for £90m when Liverpool first came calling but the price dropped in June and Liverpool were able to land Alisson while Chelsea, who were also keenly pursuing him, were trying to offload Thibaut Courtois to Real Madrid.

‘What he does is so unbelievable in his first year in the UK,’ said Achterberg. ‘He has had an amazing season to break the record for clean sheets (21 in the Premier League). There are always things he can improve but the level he has produced this season is probably one of the best in the world.’

Manager Jurgen Klopp described Becker as 'a goalkeeper who makes difficult things look easy'

Manager Jurgen Klopp described Becker as ‘a goalkeeper who makes difficult things look easy’

As he says so little, it is easy to overlook what Alisson does. Virgil van Dijk — who is now surely a Ballon d’Or contender after being named man of the match — always commands praise, as do the flying full backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson.

Alisson, though, has been practically faultless and the rapport he has with supporters was shown in the wild celebrations when he stepped into the six-yard area on his own and began roaring his delight, pumping his arms in the air.

Like so many other members of the squad, the emotion of the achievement was difficult to take on board and he separated himself from the group, so that he could FaceTime his wife, Natalie, who is heavily pregnant with their second child.

The Brazilian makes a crucial save in the second half from Heung-Min Son's shot

The Brazilian makes a crucial save in the second half from Heung-Min Son’s shot

Unlike many goalkeepers he is not an extrovert, but he could not be held in higher esteem by his team-mates. Alisson convinced them he would be special in his first sessions on a pre-season training camp in Evian and that initial assessment has proved spot on.

Liverpool’s performance was not flamboyant in Madrid but their ruthless efficiency ensured they had the biggest and best moments and nobody had more of them than Alisson. Jurgen Klopp bought him to influence days such as these.

When you trace the heroes of this sixth successful European Cup campaign, Alisson is always there. A last-gasp stop to deny Napoli’s Arkadiusz Milik in the final group game, defiance against Barcelona in the semis.

The best, though, was saved for last. No wonder he wouldn’t let go of that trophy.



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