Liverpool star Alisson Becker feels he is in the form of his life at Anfield this season. But the goalkeeper is adamant he ‘cannot do things alone’ and praises his defenders for their help.
Alisson has kept seven clean sheets over his 18 appearances across all competitions so far this season. He has also registered four of his shut outs in the Premier League. But the 30-year-old has allowed 15 goals in 12 top-flight fixtures and six in six Champions League ties.
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Nonetheless, the Brazilian entered the weekend with a superior record in the league than statistics show he merits. Sky Sports notes Alisson had the best expected goals prevented record among all top-flight shot-stoppers. He has prevented 6.56 based on expected goals.
Alisson’s 6.56 goals prevented before the weekend put him clear of Jordan Pickford (4.52), Neto (2.77), Kepa Arrizabalaga (2.73) and Lukasz Fabianski (2.01). SofaScore statistics also show the Liverpool star ranked fifth in the Premier League for his volume of saves made.
The £67m transfer from Roma in 2018 has made 39 saves, with 25 from shots struck inside the penalty area. Only David Raya (54), Dean Henderson (53), Pickford (49) and Bernd Leno (48) had registered a higher volume of total saves in the top-flight entering this weekend.
Alisson only ranked 15th among all Premier League goalkeepers at the end of last term for total saves made. He had recorded 76 stops across 36 appearances, with 50 from shots hit inside the area. The 57-cap stopper also penned 20 clean sheets to just 24 goals conceded.
Alisson feels he is in the form of his life but ‘cannot do things alone’ at Liverpool
Despite his record regressing on paper, Alisson feels he is in the form of his life at Liverpool this term. The Brazilian also takes delight in having the best expected goals prevented stat entering this weekend. But he credits his efforts to the help the Reds’ defenders provide.
“When you look at that, it’s obviously something positive,” Alisson told Sky Sports. “I don’t believe you have to rely on statistics to know if you are performing well or not. But they are a good sign and a good indication of the way you have to follow.
“I don’t give myself too much praise because of that, because of having good numbers. But obviously, it’s something that makes me happy. The numbers never lie.
He added: “I think so, yes, [I am playing at the top of my game]. But I’m not doing anything alone. Even if the team is not performing at the very best, the fact that I’m doing this is because I have help. I cannot do things alone on the pitch.”
Alisson will try to continue his personal form when Liverpool travel to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. The Reds have only won two of their last seven Premier League games and are on a two-match losing streak. Nottingham Forest and Leeds United have beaten them recently.
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