Liverpool’s Arne Slot Calls Alisson the Best Goalkeeper in the World
In a thrilling match at Parc des Princes, Liverpool managed to secure a 1-0 victory over Paris St-Germain (PSG) in the first leg of their last-16 tie. The Reds were under intense pressure for most of the game, with PSG taking 27 shots, while Liverpool only managed two.
Despite PSG’s dominance, Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Alisson, was in outstanding form. The Brazilian made nine crucial saves, the most by a Liverpool goalkeeper in a Champions League match since records began in 2003-04. Alisson described his performance as “probably the performance of my life,” highlighting the team’s awareness of PSG’s strengths.
Harvey Elliott came off the bench and scored just 46 seconds later, leaving PSG fans stunned. They struggled to comprehend how their team, which had controlled the game, was now trailing.
Statistics illustrate PSG’s dominance:
- Liverpool scored with their first shot on target.
- PSG’s 27 shots were the second-most ever recorded in a Champions League knockout match where the team failed to score.
- Liverpool’s victory came despite having 25 fewer shots than PSG, marking one of the largest discrepancies in shots for a winning team.
Alisson’s performance was pivotal, as he denied multiple attempts from PSG players, including Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock noted that Liverpool “got away with it because of Alisson,” emphasizing his vital role in their success.
As Liverpool looks ahead, they will soon welcome Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia, adding competition for Alisson, who has been a key player since joining the club in 2018. Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, praised Alisson as the best goalkeeper in the world, acknowledging the impact he has on the team’s performance.
-BBC
