Liverpool midfielder James Milner has named Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson as the club’s star man so far this season.
Jurgen Klopp’s side recently beat south coast side Brighton and Hove Albion 1-0 to help prolong their place at the top of the Premier League table.
How good has Alisson really been? Here is what you need to know…
- The Brazilian switched AS Roma for Liverpool in the summer for a then-transfer record fee for a goalkeeper of £66.8m.
- Since then he has excelled in a superbly organised Reds backline, keeping 13 clean sheets in 22 Premier League matches.
- The Reds have only let in 10 Premier League goals all season.
- Klopp’s side are currently four points ahead of second-place Manchester City, having only lost one game all season, coincidently against Pep Guardiola’s squad.
Milner – who previously won the Premier League title with City in 2012 and 2014 – now believes that Alisson is the star man in the Liverpool squad who could help him secure a hat-trick of league titles, this time at the expense of his former employers.
Speaking to Liverpool’s official magazine (via the Evening Standard), Milner heaped praise upon the club’s excellent summer signing, highlighting that although the entire squad have been impressive, for him Alisson stands out above the rest.
“It’s hard to pick out one player because everyone in the squad has done so well, not just the 11 who are starting,” he said.
“We have made a lot of changes during games and a number of players have come in and done really well.
“I think maybe one you could select is Alisson. Coming to a new league is never easy. It’s a new lifestyle and you are also getting used to the weather and things like that, but he’s been unbelievable: from how he is around the place, to how good he is on the pitch with his feet and with the saves he makes.”
Milner: ‘Unbelievable despite mistakes’
Alisson has been near perfect this campaign as Liverpool look to compete, for as long as possible, on both the domestic and European stages.
Top of the Premier League, Liverpool are also through to the knock-out rounds of the Champions League where they will face German giants Bayern Munich in the upcoming weeks.
Having Alisson certainly gives the Reds more of a chance to succeed but that doesn’t make him immune from the odd mistake.
Errors against both Leicester City and Manchester United have proven that Alisson is human, but Milner feels that the Brazilian’s ability to overcome his mistakes and continue to provide excellent performances shows how vital he is for Liverpool to succeed this campaign.
He added: “Every single player makes mistakes and sometimes as a ‘keeper you maybe feel a bit different because mistakes often result in a goal, but if he makes a mistake it doesn’t faze him in the slightest and he remains confident and continues playing as if nothing has happened. That’s so important.
“He’s been unbelievable for us this season so far and I believe that he’ll be a massive, massive player for us going forward.”
Liverpool play host to Crystal Palace this weekend.
The post Alisson the closest thing to a star man at Liverpool this season, says James Milner appeared first on Squawka News.
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