Brazil custodian Alisson is a crucial component to Liverpool launching a serious challenge on the Premier League title, according to Reds legend Jamie Carragher.
As is widely known Samba ace Alisson became the most expensive keeper ever (although that record is now in the process of being broken by Chelsea and Kepa Arrizabalaga) when Jurgen Klopp raided the Anfield coffers and splashed out around £67million on the recruit from Serie A giants Roma.
And while Carragher reckons it will take a period of time for the new boy to settle in properly on Merseyside, he says that the fact of the matter remains that he is a better all-round keeper than either Simon Mignolet or Loris Karius.
Carragher, who won a clutch of honours for Liverpool in an illustrious career that stretch to an incredible 737 games, argues that once he adapts to life in the top flight he could make the difference when it comes to claiming the crown.
He said:
“The goalkeeper situation has given everyone a massive lift, Liverpool support wise. What happened in the Champions League final to Karius, yes disappointed as a Liverpool fan on the night, but we’ve all been there as players where you’ve had a poor game but to have it in such a big and memorable game.
“Hopefully if he moves on, which I think he will do, he will go on to become a great goalkeeper and be remembered for that. But Liverpool have had to change there, because there would be no belief in Liverpool winning or challenging for the league with the two goalkeepers they had. And I’m not saying that on the back of the Champions League final, it’s something we’ve spoken about before.
“Mignolet and Karius are good goalkeepers, they’re not great goalkeepers. That’s not to say Alisson is a great goalkeeper, it’s great price, a world record, so when you pay that money you’re expecting a top goalkeeper. But he’ll be new to the Premier League so let’s see how he adapts, he looks very cool and calm on the ball, that’s what Klopp wants from a goalkeeper.
“But they’ve had to be rectified those areas, most of them have been so at this moment on paper Liverpool do look the strongest to challenge.”
Meanwhile, Reds hero Ian Rush reckons that Klopp’s men can be the nearest challengers to Manchester City’s in the race for the Premier League title this season. Rush believes the Anfield giants must somehow end their trophy drought and starting by winning the top flight would be the perfect way to call a halt to the barren spell. He said:
“We need to win a trophy. It doesn’t matter what trophy – Liverpool could run Manchester City real close.”