NewsAlisson Becker: We have big goals - that is the Liverpool FC standard

A dramatic encounter with AFC Bournemouth on Friday night at Anfield ended with three points for the Reds as late Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah goals gained a 4-2 victory.

It was an emotional evening on and off the pitch, with tributes paid to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva at the club’s first competitive home fixture since the brothers tragically died in July.

“We handled it really well. At the game, you want the result for the first thing, but also we are concerned about how we get the result, that’s why we’ve been in training in the pre-season,” Alisson told NBC Sports post-match.

“Of course, with all of the things that happened in the last month with us, it wasn’t easy. It’s never easy. But I think everybody is coping in a good way because we are together.

“Today the supporters showed us the support they have, and most important is that we are together in this.

“We have big goals and big targets for this season. That is to fight for the title again, not only for the Premier League but for the other competitions, because this is the standard of Liverpool FC.”

Alisson was ultimately able to toast a win on what was his 300th appearance for the Reds since joining from AS Roma in 2018.

Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo had netted before and after the interval to put the champions in control, only for the Cherries to equalise the score thanks to a double from Antoine Semenyo in the second half.

A rousing conclusion tipped the contest back in Liverpool’s favour, though, with Chiesa’s volleyed finish followed by a Salah clincher.

“In the Premier League there is no easy game to play, tonight was a good reminder for everybody, for us as well, [after] you stay so long without playing a Premier League game,” said Alisson.

“We had a little bit of a taste against [Crystal] Palace at the Community Shield. Every side is strong. Teams are becoming stronger and stronger every season, and it’s the case now.

“It will be a huge challenge for us, not only because of the level of the league but for the changes, players with top quality that left us. But I trust our team, I trust our players, I trust the manager, I trust the plan - that we are capable of doing great things.

“But we know that we have to play every game thinking that it’s a final, the most important game. We did that tonight. You want to win a game playing well, in a smooth way, but if that doesn’t happen, you have to force it the way we did tonight.”

On Chiesa’s personal moment, a crucial first Premier League goal to put Arne Slot’s side back in front, Alisson said: “For Federico today coming from the bench, he’s a special player for us who is there training every day.

“Everybody knows his situation was not that easy in the summer, but he kept working hard and today he gets the reward for scoring the winner for us.”