Regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world at the moment, Alisson Ramses Becker is the current stopper at English side Liverpool FC and the Brazilian national football team. At an imposing six foot three and large physique, we take a look at some of the top quotes about Alisson.
A winner of numerous titles and accolades since his senior debut in 2013, Alisson was recently involved in trying to help Liverpool win both the Premier League and Champions League titles.
Starting out his career with top flight Brazilian team Internacional, where he won four straight state championships, he moved to Italian team Roma, before eventually joining Premier League outfit Liverpool in 2018.
Noted for the number of clean sheets he kept in Italy, he was signed up for a record £66.8 million, and proceeded to help the Anfield team go 20 games unbeaten in the league, and saw them win the Champions League in his first season with the club.
Having not conceded a goal in 21 matches in the league at his first attempt, Alisson then went one better in terms of performance when he guided Liverpool to their first top flight League success in 30 years, this time with 13 clean sheets in 29 matches.
With Liverpool gunning for some more titles, there was recent disappointment as the club narrowly missed out on a Premier League title on the last day of the season, and lost out by the odd goal to Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
Alisson
“…..a great goalkeeper with excellent technique and a strong physique.”
Paulo Roberto Falcao (Internacional manager)
“I was stunned by his presence and the calmness he brought to the entire team.”
Eusebio Di Francesco (Roma manager)
“He’s brilliant…..he’s got better as the season has gone on…..”
Chris Kirkland (former Liverpool goalkeeper)
“There were so many positives – his physique, how he commanded his area, his comfort at building play – but what immediately stood out was his decision-making…..you have to have the natural ability to read situations and react so that you make the difficult things look simple.”
John Achterberg (Liverpool’s goalkeeping coach)
“Alisson is able to make everything simple. He reads the game, is very calm and calculated…..”
Marco Savorani (Roma goalkeeping coach)
“Is Alisson worth €50m? Don’t be silly, he’s worth far more than that…..I don’t think many people have realised who Alisson is. This guy is a phenomenon. He is the Number One of Number Ones. He is the Messi of goalkeepers, because he has the same mentality as Messi. He is a goalkeeper who can define an era.”
Roberto Negrisolo (former Roma goalkeeping coach)
“…..the opportunity to sign one of the world’s best goalkeepers…..he is a real personality. He has meanwhile a lot of experience in the last few years, in Europe and in Rome, he’s played there on an outstandingly high level…..The full package is just good…..”
Jurgen Klopp
“…..Alisson at Internacional because he was going to be special…..he was comfortable with the ball, aggressive, positive…..But most importantly, he was excellent at doing the basics right and really well. ‘Ali’ would anticipate danger and make all kinds of saves: easy, hard, high, low…..”
John Achterberg (Liverpool goalkeeping coach)
“When Alisson runs to the ball, he thinks like a striker – where he will shoot, how he will do.”
Dunga (Brazil manager)
“There is absolutely no comparison with Gianluigi Donnarumma, because Alisson is extraordinary…..I watched him play for Brazil and he made an enormous impression on me…..The way he behaves in the goal, he reminds me of Dino Zoff. I’d also compare him to Michel Preud-Homme, who had the class of someone born to be a goalkeeper…..I can assure you Alisson can be a guarantee for at least another 10 years. He’s already a hero to the fans…..Alisson is crucial off the field too, as you can see he has the mind of a coach. Look at the way he moves and acts when the ball is in his hands and you’ll understand…..”
Roberto Negrisolo
“…..goalkeeper of the future.”
Eusebio di Francesco
“What I have always said is that Alisson is a step above the others because of his behavior, attitude and technique. Saying he’s ‘Pele of goalkeepers’ is too much. I’ve always appreciated his playing style, the calmness he brings to his colleagues and the coaching staff.”
Claudio Taffarel (Brazil goalkeeping coach)
“He’s not one of these goalies that you would describe as eccentric and theatrical…..He’s not a ‘voador’ [flying keeper]…..instead of doing acrobatic saves, he will be in the right position to cover a large portion of the goal. He’s brilliant on and off the pitch. He became a leader in a dressing room.”
Jorge Andrade (Internacional’s academy executive director)
“He’s very reserved, but you could see he would go on to become a great goalie, perhaps one of the best to ever feature for Inter, really close to what Taffarel achieved in his career.”
Dorival Junior (player’s coach)
“Alisson is a surprise only for those who haven’t seen him before. What really strikes me is how he deals with dangerous situations so efficiently. That gives his team a lot of confidence.”
Gianluigi Buffon (Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper)
“Alisson? I thought it was crazy to spend so much money for a goalkeeper, but I was wrong. He is a phenomenon.”
Daniele De Rossi (Roma midfielder)
“Alisson is a true professional and a true man. He deserves all the praise he is receiving.”
Luciano Spalletti (former Roma coach)
“He deserves all the accolades because of what he did last year…..he seems a very level-headed goalkeeper, not over-confident, but he’s got a good balance. He never seems to get flustered, the great goalkeepers always look in control of every situation. He has that ability to make saves other goalkeepers can’t make. But the great goalkeepers make the saves when the game’s tight, to keep them in it.”
Ray Clemence (former Liverpool goalkeeper)
“He has been tremendous, in big moments he steps up, he’s a great goalkeeper. He does everything a modern goalkeeper should, he’s good with his feet, and he comes out with massive saves importantly.”
Rio Ferdinand