LONDON • Jaws dropped when Liverpool splashed out £65 million (S$111.8 million) for goalkeeper Alisson Becker in July.
Critics said the hefty investment went against the conventional wisdom; this was the kind of money clubs were supposed to invest in goalscorers, not goalkeepers.
If keeping 10 clean sheets in 16 English Premier League matches this season is not proof of his calibre, then the Brazilian's crucial stoppage-time save against Napoli in the do-or-die Champions League Group C clash on Tuesday would surely have vindicated Jurgen Klopp's unwavering faith in him.
Mohamed Salah's fine first-half strike had put Liverpool on course for the 1-0 win required to pip the Italian team to second place behind group winners Paris Saint-Germain on goals scored.
Last season's finalists faced elimination, however, when Napoli's Arkadiusz Milik had a glorious chance to equalise in the 92nd minute, only for Alisson to block at point-blank range and send Liverpool through to the last 16.
That reflex save was worth almost £11 million to Liverpool, in terms of money for the victory and qualification, and Klopp said afterwards that he would have paid double for his "lifesaver".
"If I knew Alisson was this good, I would have paid double," the Liverpool boss said of the 26-year-old.
"It was not only one save. He had a lot of things to do tonight. How cool and calm he was with the ball helps us a lot in our build-up.
8
Number of extra goals the average goalkeeper would have conceded than Alisson in the Premier League and Champions League combined this season, based on Opta's xG model.9
James Milner's Champions League assists after creating Mohamed Salah's winner - more than any other player since the start of last season.18
Liverpool's unbeaten European home streak, 16 of them under Jurgen Klopp (13 wins, three draws).
GIANT OF A GOALKEEPER
It was not only one save. He had a lot of things to do tonight. How cool and calm he was with the ball helps us a lot in our build-up. When he comes out for crosses, he is outstanding. And, yes, that save was just incredible.
JURGEN KLOPP, Liverpool manager, on his goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
"When he comes out for crosses, he is outstanding. And, yes, that save was just incredible.
"But, if we don't defend the whole pitch like we defended, Ali cannot make 20 saves like the last one.
"He did it: incredible, unbelievable. I never saw something similar. But still he needs the other boys around him. I couldn't be more proud of all the people involved."
Klopp also claimed Liverpool's all-round display was worthy of a place in the knockout stages for the second successive season.
"The game was outstanding, unbelievable," the German added.
"The boys played with their whole hearts on the pitch. Our offensive defending, our offensive pressing was some of the best I've ever seen.
"The intensity we played with was just difficult to deal with. Yes, we could have scored more, but 2-0 doesn't help a lot.
"The goal Mo scored. What a goal, unbelievable. And the save Ali made, I have no words for that.
"That was, of course, a lifesaver. I'm really proud tonight."
Kalidou Koulibaly admitted that Napoli paid the price for paying too much respect to Liverpool.
The Senegal defender told Sky Sport: "Maybe, unconsciously, we feared Liverpool because we know they are very strong and that it's not easy to play against them."
Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti was proud of his side's effort but insisted that Virgil van Dijk should have received a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Dries Mertens in the first half.
Instead, the Dutchman received only a yellow card, which will rule him out of the first leg of the last-16 tie in February.
"From the video, it is a red card," said the Italian. "There are a lot of questions about VAR (Video Assistant Referee) but, when VAR comes into the Champions League, it will be too late."
Liverpool will find out their last-16 opponents when the draw is made on Monday and van Dijk said on current form, few sides will fancy drawing them.
"I don't think so. That's what we showed last season and this season as well," he said. "We'll see what's going to happen."
THE GUARDIAN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
Malaysia lost 2-1 to an under-strength Lebanon side in their first qualification match on June 13, before salvaging a 1-1 draw when Hong Kong missed an added-time penalty.
JDT players miss start of Malaysia camp for Asian Cup
Manchester United not 'satisfied' despite winning run, says
Kane and Lloris rescue point for Spurs against Arsenal | Free
Virgil van Dijk has been ever-present for Liverpool so far this season but Jurgen Klopp says the defender could miss the Leicester game. Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Virgil van Dijk is a doubt for
Van Dijk a doubt for Leicester game, Klopp confirms - Sportstar
The blog on sexual teasing is very informative. I am a male bisexual who has not been open about my sexuallity on my job my co-workers due to my demeanor assume that I live an alternative lifestyle.
Atletico Madrid needed Thomas Lemar to come off the bench and score an 85th-minute winner against Eibar on Saturday as they stretched their lead over Real Madrid to seven points in La Liga. Real play at home to in-form Athletic Bilbao on Sunday but Atletico took another step towards finishing above their city rivals for a second consecutive
Atletico extend lead over Real with narrow win over Eibar | IOL
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has appeared to pave the way for him to take the Manchester United job full-time after saying his contract at Molde has expired. The interim Old Trafford boss has confirmed he is no longer contracted to the Norwegian side.
Football: Manchester United should give Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Kent Eriksen Cycles was born in 2005 from a love of bikes, innovation, adventure and the outdoors. As the original founder of Moots Cycles, Kent's extensive experience in the hand built bike industry provided him the perfect opportunity to create Kent Eriksen Cyles.
Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel says it will be 'super difficult' for Neymar to be fit for their Champions League tie against Manchester United next month. The Brazilian superstar suffered a fractured metatarsal against Strasbourg in the French Cup on Wednesday night.
UEFA Champions League: 'Super difficult' for Neymar to be fit
New chapter for Tottenham as stadium hosts 1st game When teenager Rayan Clarke rolled a pass off the centre spot at Tottenham Hotspur's gleaming new stadium on Sunday it kicked off a new
Football: New chapter for Tottenham as stadium hosts first game
Football: Neymar banned for three Champions League matches over ref rant Neymar (above) labelled the VAR system a "disgrace" after Manchester United were awarded a decisive last-gap penalty. PHOTO
Neymar banned for three Champions League matches over ref rant
Black Ops 4 Zombies BLIND - Insane Pack-a-Punch & Thors Hammer! (IX Gladiator Arena Zombies Map)
Mauls and Back Out Punches | The Hammer Source
Brunei aim to keep momentum going, Football News & Top
England thrash Montenegro after early scare March 25, 2019 Huffington News Huffington News Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group A - Montenegro v England - Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro - March 25, 2019 England's Ross Barkley celebrates scoring their second goal with team mates Action Images via Reuters/Carl
England Thrash Montenegro 5-1 after Early Scare - Foto Tempo.co
SHOOTING STARS midfielder Muchineripi Muneri has been arrested as part of investigations into allegations that some Dynamos players could have been paid to throw away their final match of the
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen