Alisson: Teamwork the key to clean sheets
Alisson Becker cited teamwork as the key factor behind Liverpool’s run of three consecutive clean sheets at the start of the Premier League campaign.
Saturday’s 1-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion saw Alisson become only the fourth goalkeeper in the last 51 seasons to record a shutout in each of the Reds’ opening trio of league games, following Bruce Grobbelaar, Pepe Reina and Simon Mignolet.
The Brazil international showed rapid reflexes to palm Pascal Gross’ late, goal-bound header away and secure the three points versus Brighton - a match that was preceded by to-nil victories over West Ham United and Crystal Palace.
Watch Alisson deny Gross at Anfield
Speaking after the meeting with the Seagulls, Alisson credited collective effort as the reason for Liverpool’s early-season solidity.
“Hopefully I will keep helping the team, it is a teamwork. I have my contribution, but I am not the main responsibility for the clean sheets,” the 25-year-old said.
“If we do not concede we will be close to winning because our attack is really good. I'm very comfortable at the club in a great environment, with everybody pushing in the same direction to win.
“We've shown what we are capable of and hopefully we can keep on track. The Premier League is very tough and competitive.”
The Brazilian bamboozles Knockaert
Alisson drew loud cheers from the home fans at Anfield at the weekend when he chipped the ball over Anthony Knockaert’s head while under pressure from the Brighton man.
The stopper, though, insisted his unflappable aura with the ball at his feet is not borne out of a desire to take unnecessary risks.
“I try my best to help the team in the build-up. If sometimes there is a situation where there is dribbling, I do it carefully,” Alisson explained.
“It could be too risky, but it's part of the game, we are a team that plays from the back with the ball on the ground.
“That's part of the team's characteristics. Mistakes may happen, but we work hard during the week to do everything correctly during the matches.”