LONDON • Jaws dropped when Liverpool splashed out £65 million (S$111.8 million) for goalkeeper Alisson Becker in July.
Critics said the hefty investment went against the conventional wisdom; this was the kind of money clubs were supposed to invest in goalscorers, not goalkeepers.
If keeping 10 clean sheets in 16 English Premier League matches this season is not proof of his calibre, then the Brazilian's crucial stoppage-time save against Napoli in the do-or-die Champions League Group C clash on Tuesday would surely have vindicated Jurgen Klopp's unwavering faith in him.
Mohamed Salah's fine first-half strike had put Liverpool on course for the 1-0 win required to pip the Italian team to second place behind group winners Paris Saint-Germain on goals scored.
Last season's finalists faced elimination, however, when Napoli's Arkadiusz Milik had a glorious chance to equalise in the 92nd minute, only for Alisson to block at point-blank range and send Liverpool through to the last 16.
That reflex save was worth almost £11 million to Liverpool, in terms of money for the victory and qualification, and Klopp said afterwards that he would have paid double for his "lifesaver".
"If I knew Alisson was this good, I would have paid double," the Liverpool boss said of the 26-year-old.
"It was not only one save. He had a lot of things to do tonight. How cool and calm he was with the ball helps us a lot in our build-up.
8
Number of extra goals the average goalkeeper would have conceded than Alisson in the Premier League and Champions League combined this season, based on Opta's xG model.9
James Milner's Champions League assists after creating Mohamed Salah's winner - more than any other player since the start of last season.18
Liverpool's unbeaten European home streak, 16 of them under Jurgen Klopp (13 wins, three draws).
GIANT OF A GOALKEEPER
It was not only one save. He had a lot of things to do tonight. How cool and calm he was with the ball helps us a lot in our build-up. When he comes out for crosses, he is outstanding. And, yes, that save was just incredible.
JURGEN KLOPP, Liverpool manager, on his goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
"When he comes out for crosses, he is outstanding. And, yes, that save was just incredible.
"But, if we don't defend the whole pitch like we defended, Ali cannot make 20 saves like the last one.
"He did it: incredible, unbelievable. I never saw something similar. But still he needs the other boys around him. I couldn't be more proud of all the people involved."
Klopp also claimed Liverpool's all-round display was worthy of a place in the knockout stages for the second successive season.
"The game was outstanding, unbelievable," the German added.
"The boys played with their whole hearts on the pitch. Our offensive defending, our offensive pressing was some of the best I've ever seen.
"The intensity we played with was just difficult to deal with. Yes, we could have scored more, but 2-0 doesn't help a lot.
"The goal Mo scored. What a goal, unbelievable. And the save Ali made, I have no words for that.
"That was, of course, a lifesaver. I'm really proud tonight."
Kalidou Koulibaly admitted that Napoli paid the price for paying too much respect to Liverpool.
The Senegal defender told Sky Sport: "Maybe, unconsciously, we feared Liverpool because we know they are very strong and that it's not easy to play against them."
Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti was proud of his side's effort but insisted that Virgil van Dijk should have received a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Dries Mertens in the first half.
Instead, the Dutchman received only a yellow card, which will rule him out of the first leg of the last-16 tie in February.
"From the video, it is a red card," said the Italian. "There are a lot of questions about VAR (Video Assistant Referee) but, when VAR comes into the Champions League, it will be too late."
Liverpool will find out their last-16 opponents when the draw is made on Monday and van Dijk said on current form, few sides will fancy drawing them.
"I don't think so. That's what we showed last season and this season as well," he said. "We'll see what's going to happen."
THE GUARDIAN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
Baihakki Khaizan is eager to get reacquainted with former national teammate Noh Alam Shah who has been brought in as player mentor for the Singapore Lions and reckons the latter "brings something to the team that has been missing for years."
'Bye, 'bye, Baihakki! - SPORTS247.MY | The Ultimate Malaysian
Football: Palace's Zaha banned for referee sarcastic clap
DUBAI, Jan 16 (Reuters) - FIFA says it has been in regular contact with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) over the Bahraini refugee soccer player arrested in Thailand in November over a
UPDATE 1-Soccer-FIFA says in regular contact with AFC over
A new report claims that UEFA members have decided that a ban from the competition would be suitable punishment, but could it really happen? Manchester City are currently under investigation
FC Barcelona were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at Olympique Lyonnais in their UEFA Champions League last 16 first leg tie on Tuesday. The result ensured both sides remained unbeaten in this season's competition.
Wasteful Barca held to goalless draw at defiant Olympique
With the Asian Cup featuring a record 24 teams, the 36-game group stage finished with holders Australia facing a last-16 clash with Uzbekistan, while Qatar will play Iraq and Japan face the Saudis. Shiotani's rocket ensured Japan finished with a perfect nine points at the top of Group F as they beat Uzbekistan 2-1, despite changing 10 players
2019 Asian Cup: Tsukasa Shiotani fires Japan past Uzbeks
FAS' media-rights partner begins bankruptcy process MP & Silva's Singapore office has been cleared out. The company's accounts have been frozen, its staff contracts terminated, and all its
FAS' media-rights partner begins bankruptcy process, Football
By Eric Knecht. DOHA (Reuters) - FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Thursday that a majority of national soccer federations were in favor of expanding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 teams.
Football: Infantino says he has wide support for 48-team
Premier League leaders Manchester City recovered from two goals down to beat Championship side Swansea City 3-2 at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday to progress to the FA Cup semi-finals. Having secured a last-eight spot in the Champions League. to go with their League Cup title, City made a strong start as they looked to continue their quest to
Man City come from two goals down to reach FA Cup last four
ST Young Star Award: Queensway Secondary's history-maker Putri Nur Syaliza keeps feet firmly on ground Putri Nur Syaliza, one of the winners of the ST Young Star Award and the Football Association
Latest PUTRI NUR SYALIZA | The Straits Times
World Cup winner Buffon to leave Paris Saint-Germain By superliga On Jun 5, 2019 0 Paris (AFP) - Gianluigi Buffon will leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer after it was agreed to not renew the former Italy captain's contract, the French champions announced on Wednesday.
World Cup winner Gianluigi Buffon to leave PSG: club
How rivals fans really feel about Liverpool winning the Premier League title. We spoke to opposition fans about Liverpool's chances of winning the Premier League - and how they would feel if it
Man City fans say Blues show perfect qualities to push
Football: Gareth Bale 'nowhere near' being Real's leader
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar