Roma goalkeeper Allison Becker joined Liverpool in a deal worth 75 million euros, making him the most expensive custodian in history.
It’s a deal that eclipses the previous record, held by former Juventus veteran Gianluigi Buffon, when the Bianconeri forked out 50 million euros to sign the then 23-year-old from Parma back in 2001.
Almost double the 40m euros Manchester City paid to sign compatriot Ederson last summer, the fee dwarves the 30m euros Bayern Munich spent to bring Manuel Neuer from Schalke back in 2011, and the 28.5 million euros Sunderland received from Everton for Jordan Pickford.
Following the departure of Philippe Coutinho in January, the Reds spent a large chunk of that money on reinforcing their leaky defence with the acquisition of Virgil Van Dijk, who became the world’s most expensive defender, and the potential record signing of Alisson could be the final piece in the jigsaw puzzle.
Liverpool have not had a reliable goalkeeper amongst their ranks since the departure of Pepe Reina to Napoli back in 2013.
Upon the arrival of Jurgen Klopp, the tactician placed his faith in Loris Karius as the No.1, but his mistakes in the Champions League final against Real Madrid has all but sealed his fate at the Anfield club.
Simon Mignolet found himself relegated to the bench after four seasons in that position.
Last season, the Merseyside outfit finished in fourth place in the Premier League with their defensive weakness proving to be their greatest undoing.
The side conceded 38 goals throughout the league campaign, which, on average, translates to one goal conceded per match.
But in Alisson, Liverpool have found a goalkeeper who is both reliable and agile, has great reflexes and remarkable footwork and, in the past, has proven to be a great leader with international experience.
With his signing, as well as the arrivals of Xherdan Shaqiri, Naby Keita and Fabinho, Liverpool are undoubtedly now one of the favourites to lift the Premier League trophy for the first time since 1990.
Alisson didn’t just stop goals for Roma last season. He set them up. He played defence-splitting passes, inch-perfect long balls, completed more dribbles than a whole host of outfield players, and embarrassed opposition strikers with backheels under pressure and a ‘sombrero’ against Crotone.
At no point did Alisson’s tricks cause a quick intake of breath or create a sense of panic. His actions were not frivolous. They were essential. The right decision under the circumstances.
Watch Alisson perform any of the skills listed above and you will not see a showman with a professional death wish, but a self-assured goalkeeper who has earned the complete trust of his team. “He’s the goalkeeper of the future,” Roma manager Eusebio di Francesco said. The evolution of the species in his position.
Alisson rushed off his line and cleared the ball 41 times this season. To put that into perspective, the next best goalkeeper in Italy when it comes to sweeping was Pepe Reina – he managed 20. Alisson proved crucial in enabling Roma to play with an aggressive high line in defence.
For all the attributes that mark Alisson out as a thoroughly modern goalkeeper, it is the old-fashioned stuff that makes him a traditionalist’s favourite as well. Tall and broad shouldered, he has an imposing frame and can seem like a magnet for the ball.
Alisson made 109 saves last season and was the only goalkeeper in Serie A with a shots saved percentage of 79% or higher. Limit that to attempts inside the box and his record is the best in Italy over the past five years.
More impressively, Opta’s advance metrics show that given the quality of chances Alisson faced, the average goalkeeper would have conceded 36.31 goals. Alisson is no ordinary goalkeeper. He allowed just 28; a difference of eight, the biggest in Serie A. A top-class goalkeeper was the missing piece in Jurgen Klopp’s Anfield puzzle. But in Alisson, Liverpool look to have found it.