ReactionAlisson on Wembley win, Liverpool's energy and FA Cup focus
Alisson Becker basked in an ‘amazing feeling’ after toppling Manchester City to reach the Emirates FA Cup final.
The Brazilian goalkeeper played a key role for the Reds at Wembley on Saturday afternoon, helping his side to a 3-2 victory over Pep Guardiola’s men in the capital.
Semi-final highlights: City 2-3 Liverpool
Liverpool reached the FA Cup’s showpiece event for the first time in 10 years thanks to Ibrahima Konate’s opening header and a brace from Sadio Mane.
Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva both struck back, though Alisson provided two vital interventions to deny City striker and international teammate Gabriel Jesus during the second half.
Read on for Liverpoolfc.com’s post-match interview with the No.1…
On the frantic finish to the semi-final encounter at Wembley…
It was a little bit, but you know, we were playing against a great side that never give up. They scored the second goal then it was game on for the last few minutes, but I’m happy we could keep the score and keep the advantage that we created in the game and we are in the final.
On the stunning start that opened up a three-goal lead...
Our target today was to improve the performance in respect of what we did in the last match and we could do that. We were much more confident from the first moment of the game. Sometimes we could control all the situations, we created great chances and we took those great chances. Scoring three goals is something that gives you an amazing feeling and we achieved, I think, all the targets that we had for this game.
On Mane’s pressing, which led to his first goal...
Sometimes it’s so difficult to press. I think we did that so well, pressing them and closing the spaces. Their goalie waited until the last moment to make a touch, maybe waiting for an option, but I’m happy that Sadio could score that goal. It’s not only the fault of the goalkeeper, I think it’s something that we did so well all match, pressing them and closing the gaps and I’m really happy for that.
Alisson's post-match interview at Wembley
On the energy required from Liverpool to win the match…
It was a fantastic day to play football and play a semi-final. The atmosphere our supporters created here was amazing, playing at Wembley against Manchester City, a great opponent, everything that we could ask for a semi-final and from our side a victory, so great.
On looking forward to the FA Cup final next month…
Football is about that as well, creating memories, and it’s fantastic when you can achieve your targets and when you can win trophies, it’s what we are trying to do every day [by] preparing ourselves to be the best as possible, the best we can to be on the pitch for this great club to make Liverpool FC winning, winning, winning all the time and winning all the trophies we have in front of us. We are really focused on that.