Alisson's incredible start has made Premier League history for Liverpool

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Many were doubtful of whether Alisson’s £56 million price-tag was justified; his strong start has silenced his critics.

After the car-crash final period of the calamitous Karius, it’s no surprise that Liverpool were willing to pay top dollar to replace him.

Captured on a six-year deal from Roma, Alisson has gone on a record-breaking run between the sticks at Anfield.

Liverpool, having conceded only 6 goals in their first 16 games (the lowest in the league) are serious title contenders thanks to the Brazilian’s safe hands.

But that’s not the only amazing statistic about him.

1. Best start in a Liverpool shirt

It’s early days yet, but Alisson’s record of conceding only six goals in the first 16 games has helped him to the top of the pile for Liverpool’s best Premier League start.

Javier Mascherano did not lose any of his first 15 Premier League games after joining Liverpool in February 2007. Alisson, however, has now gone one better than the Argentinian midfielder, becoming the first Liverpool player to remain unbeaten in their opening 16 Premier League matches.

2. The power of 10.

In a serendipitous moment of splendid alignment, Alisson’s clean sheet against Bournemouth was his 10th of the season and upped his save percentage to 85.71% – a league high when compared to goalkeepers with 200+ minute this season.

He was joined in the 10-club today by an equally crucial man at the other end of the field – Mo Salah. The Egyptian’s hat-trick increased his total tally to 10 goals thus far, making him the league’s top scorer. How long can this dangerous duality continue?

3. Solid on the ground or up in the air

As well as having cat-like reflexes, Alisson is a towering presence at just over 6.2ft. Alongside Fabinho, he won 100% of his aerial duels against Bournemouth, including a tremendous leap to outjump Josh King and head a ball away from danger in the first half.

Liverpool’s ability to control matches comes from something they didn’t have last year – confidence in their keeper. Alisson’s commanding presence in the box frees up the players to focus on what they need to be doing, rather than worrying about the covering other player’s roles too.

Remember, his success for Brazil’s Seleção and now at Liverpool is a lot considering the big guy has just turned 26.

4.  The modern ‘modern’ keeper

When we thought of the modern keeper a few years back, it was Manuel Neuer and the sweeper-keeper. Essentially, it’s a keeper willing to play a slightly more advanced role.

Now, the amount and type of passes made by a keeper an important statistic, the role has changed again: the modern ‘modern’ keeper is a player wearing gloves.

Alisson stacks up well here too. Kepa leads the league in terms of passers – to expected in Sarri’s system – but Alisson is a close second with 349 successful passes. Interestingly, considering Klopp’s baiting technique, drawing in markers to the keeper allowing spaces to open up further upfield, Alisson leads here with the highest rate of successful passes under pressure (73%).

Although he’s not the only one that earns this label, he’s one of the league leaders in this pioneering vision of a goalkeeper’s positional play.

5. Promising things to come.

As mentioned, he’s still a relatively young goalkeeper, but his success this season should not come as a surprise at all.

Alisson conceded fewer goals (28) than any other goalkeeper to play 25+ Serie A games in 2017/18, managing 17 clean sheets in 37 of those matches. Based on xG data, the average ‘keeper would have conceded 36 goals.

These are records that he’s on track to maintain and, with the like of David de Gea, Hugo Lloris, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Ederson as competition for the league’s number one No.1, it’s going to be an interesting challenge for the Brazilian.

The post Five stats behind Alisson’s record-breaking start to his Liverpool career appeared first on Squawka News.



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