The goalkeeper’s form has been vital for Jürgen Klopp’s team but is part of a tweaked approach that could pay rich dividends
A cross from the right. Two defenders jump and can’t quite connect. Dejan Lovren, startled that the ball has got as far as the back post, realises too late that Arkadiusz Milik has stolen behind him; he cannot get to the forward in time. Time slows. Milik is in form; he has the best goals‑per‑minute ratio in Serie A this season. Eight yards out with just the goalkeeper to beat, it seems he must score the goal that will put Napoli through.
But Milik doesn’t score. He jabs without conviction. Alisson does everything he can, springing from his line, spreading himself towards the ball, which hits his body and cannons to safety. Liverpool have survived.
Written by Jonathan Wilson
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2018/dec/15/alisson-liverpool-jurgen-klopp-virgil-van-dijk under the title “Alisson’s heroics underpin subtle shift in balance for steadier Liverpool | Jonathan Wilson”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
