InterviewAlisson Becker: We must be ready for a proper fight
Alisson Becker believes Liverpool must be ready for a ‘proper fight’ against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield tonight.
The Reds host Spurs in L4 this evening as Jürgen Klopp’s men return to Premier League action, having reached the Champions League final – where they will face Real Madrid on May 28 – in midweek.
Antonio Conte’s side make the trip to Merseyside looking to boost their own top-four aspirations, while Liverpool remain one point behind Manchester City in the top-flight title race.
Anfield No.1 Alisson discussed several topics ahead of kick-off with Premier League Productions, ranging from tonight’s fixture to facing Real Madrid later this month, his own game and much more.
Read on for a full transcript of what the Brazilian had to say…
On the challenge of facing Tottenham at Anfield this evening...
They are a really good side. They are dangerous – the first game we played against them they proved that. They have so many chances, they have two top strikers, they have a really good side and good midfielders. They are strong. They have good set-pieces [and] a really good goalkeeper. They have everything – top manager, really smart. But we as well have the same qualities. We believe in ourselves and we believe we are capable to get the three points, but for that we really will need to play our best.
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On how Liverpool must combat Spurs’ style of play...
We really need to be really focused on doing the best as we can in all the game. Putting pressure on them, playing a really good high line, working together [and] moving together because we know how dangerous their counter-attacks are [and] how good their players are, so we cannot give them the opportunities they want to have. For that we just need to focus on ourselves to play our best, to use our skills and then to be ready for a proper fight.
On his own game and his ability to stop attackers one-v-one...
I think I am improving every season in this aspect, one-v-one. I’m facing so many times this season these situations. Even sometimes I make the save it’s offside, or sometimes they score and it’s offside as well. It’s because we are really working in a good way. I always try to be in the best position that I can, trying to stay stand[ing] the most time as I can and wait a little bit for the reaction from the striker. These things only come with hard work, every day we are here with John [Achterberg], Jack [Robinson], now with Taffa [Claudio Taffarel] working on this situation as well. It’s not something that just happens in the games, we are preparing for it.
On how much he is enjoying the challenge of fighting for every trophy...
A lot. It’s great to be in this position. It’s everything that we want, fighting for every title [and] every competition. It’s something that makes me really excited. It makes everyone who plays football excited, [to] fight for great things.
On having a relaxed attitude towards attempting an unprecedented quadruple...
To be in this position you need to be in a really high level in all the aspects; technical, tactical, but mental as well. So, I think we are prepared to live this moment, this situation. We are playing so, so long together – we know each other, we know what we are capable of and having this opportunity is amazing. I think so many people work so hard for that. We know that it’s not easy, but we will fight and give everything that we have.
On the journey to challenging for four trophies beginning with his goal at West Bromwich Albion...
When I scored that goal my focus was already in putting the team in the Champions League – everybody was focused on that to take a place in the Champions League this season. So, in the interview after I scored I said that if we could win the Champions League that this goal would be even more special but not only the goal but every sacrifice we did in the last season will be worth it. It’s already worth it, because we are in a really good place, playing a final but if we can win it, it becomes even more special.
On whether there is any thought of ‘revenge’ against Real Madrid in the Champions League...
I would say, no. Maybe Mo, yes, because [of] what he said. We are really focused in doing what we are here for. We are here for playing football [to] win trophies. No matter against who we play, we will give our best. I think this will be a good thing for the supporters because maybe the supporters will think on that way, but we are professional players. We are footballers [and] we need to be focused on our jobs and approach the game the best we can.
On whether he was shocked at Real’s comeback against Manchester City...
Not in shock, because everybody saw in the Champions League what Real Madrid did so far. Everybody knows how heavy the Real Madrid shirt is – it’s a really traditional team in the Champions League, the biggest winner. So, you can expect anything. I think Man City did really well in both games, but football is like this. Sometimes things change in five minutes, or 10 minutes – this is what happened. It was a great game.