Steve McManaman slams Liverpool player for his ‘very strange’ performance at Manchester City

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Steve McManaman thinks Alisson Becker had a ‘really strange’ game during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Saturday. 

Jurgen Klopp made his feelings clear before the game that he simply doesn’t like the idea of Liverpool playing at 12:30 pm.

Could that have been a reason for Alisson Becker’s performance at the Etihad? Steve McManaman says he was ‘all over the place’ for Liverpool and he highlighted how international duty might have played a part, as he told Premier League Productions (25/11/23 at 2:40 pm). 

Usually, the Brazil star is known for his all-round game, including his long punts down the field for Mohamed Salah.

But this time around, the £150k-a-week star’s (Spotrac) miss-kick led to Manchester City opening the scoring through Erling Haaland – Trent Alexander-Arnold was also criticised.

That piece of action took place in the first half and McManaman thinks Alisson Becker continued his ‘crazy’ passing throughout the match.

Alisson Becker v Manchester City

“Alisson had a really strange game,” said McManaman “Very strange coming back from international duty.

“Sometimes, you focus on midfielders or forwards after international duty. But actually, it was the goalkeeper. He was all over the place.

“He tried to make crazy passes today as if he was this sweeper up, where he wants to play all these delicate balls. Once you are back in the game at 1-1, you get it and kick it 80 yards away from your own goal. He just got caught today.

“If he has done his hamstring then he is going to be out for a significant amount of time which isn’t great for Liverpool.”

Off day for Alisson

The 31-year-old is allowed such games because he has been one of Liverpool’s best players during the last few years.

There is no doubt that, in recent times, he has taken his game up a level and he is probably allowed such an off day because he will be back to his best pretty soon. 

But, in the end, Trent Alexander-Arnold came up with the magic to send out another signal that Liverpool are in the Premier League title race.

The Reds are sitting third in the Premier League table, two points off leaders Arsenal, who beat Brentford 1-0 yesterday with a late Kai Havertz goal.