Alisson Becker: We'll have to work more to achieve more
Alisson Becker is ready to embrace the hard work he believes will be required for Liverpool to achieve more success.
The Champions League-winning goalkeeper made his first appearance in the competition this season as the Reds defeated Genk 4-1 in Belgium on Wednesday night.
He had, of course, been sidelined with a calf issue for two months before returning to the starting line-up at Manchester United last weekend.
A classy brace from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and well-taken strikes by Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah earned three points at Genk that have left Liverpool nicely placed in Group E.
Watch: Genk 1-4 Liverpool in 90 seconds
But Alisson feels there is plenty for the team to improve if they are to challenge for honours this term, not least because there is a target on their back as European champions.
Read our post-match interview with the Brazilian below…
On Liverpool’s performance…
It’s really good to be back in the Champions League. We did a good game, we won 4-1 – it’s difficult here. Away games in the Champions League are always difficult. When we focused more in the game and put more intensity, we could create more chances of goals and score. The only bad point is we didn’t get a clean sheet because everyone wants that. But the most important thing is the three points and we are happy about that.
- Genk 1-4 Liverpool: Jürgen Klopp's reaction
- Five talking points from the Group E clash
- Ox: It's nice to be back in the Champions League
On being back from injury…
It was a tough moment but I dealt well with it. I spent good time with my family; it’s not normal for us as football players. I tried to get the maximum from the time, I could make a good pre-season – at least three or four weeks of working hard after the recovery time. Now coming back in the Champions League and Premier League with the way the team is playing, I’m really happy to be back. I’ll try to do my best to stay here a long time and stay away from injuries.
On Oxlade-Chamberlain’s brace…
It was special for everyone. We see him working hard in the training ground. In the last weeks I worked with him; in the last international break we had training and he was enjoying the sessions. I’m really happy for him scoring like that, playing like that and helping the team. I think he is really happy, as am I.
On the Reds’ position in the group…
It’s a long road, we need to keep focused and keep playing well in the games, put more intensity into the games. We are in the right way. We have a lot to grow during the season. We achieved big things last season but we don’t want to stop, we want more. But to achieve more we need to work more and work hard because everyone wants to beat Liverpool, the last champion of the Champions League. So we need to work hard. We have a good chance.
On Sunday’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur…
It’s always good to play against a tough rival. Tottenham had a tough moment in the last five games but they proved their value in the last one, they proved their quality. We played against Red Star and we know how difficult it is. They did well, they won 5-0. It will be a good game for us, a good test. Now we need to rest and focus on that game 100 per cent.