Aliss > De Gea

Libby · Jul 21, 2018

Skylarker said: ↑

It has stood for 17 years. But the 53m euros (£32.6m) Juventus paid Parma for Gianluigi Buffon in 2001 is no longer a world record fee for a goalkeeper.

Implicit in the length of time it lasted is the confidence Juventus had in Buffon becoming an all-time great. A once-in-a-lifetime talent. But as the game grew richer and richer, the longevity of the record has been the cause of some surprise.

If anything, it symbolised the enduring undervaluation of the goalkeeping position. Undervalued it is no more.

Liverpool's decision to invest up to 75m euros (£66.8m) in Alisson looks an expensive one, because it goes against the conventional wisdom. This is the kind of money clubs are supposed to invest in goalscorers. Not goalkeepers.

But, judging by Alisson's performances for Roma last season, it seems entirely fair. The Brazil international wasn't just considered the best player in his position in Serie A, but the best in any position, such was his influence on Roma's play and results.

Alisson didn't just stop goals. He set them up. He played defence-splitting passes, inch-perfect long balls, completed more dribbles than a whole host of outfield players, and embarrassed opposition strikers with backheels under pressure and a 'sombrero' against Crotone.

At no point did Alisson's tricks cause a quick intake of breath or create a sense of panic. His actions were not frivolous. They were essential. The right decision under the circumstances.

Watch Alisson perform any of the skills listed above and you will not see a showman with a professional death wish, but a self-assured goalkeeper who has earned the complete trust of his team. "He's the goalkeeper of the future," Roma manager Eusebio di Francesco said. The evolution of the species in his position.

At least that is how Alisson is perceived in Serie A, where he distinguished himself as the most convincing interpreter of the sweeper-keeper role Italy has seen since Manuel Neuer made that style the benchmark by which goalkeepers are now judged.

Alisson rushed off his line and cleared the ball 41 times this season. To put that into perspective, the next best goalkeeper in Italy when it comes to sweeping was Pepe Reina - he managed 20. Alisson proved crucial in enabling Roma to play with an aggressive high line in defence.

For all the attributes that mark Alisson out as a thoroughly modern goalkeeper, it is the old-fashioned stuff that makes him a traditionalist's favourite as well. Tall and broad shouldered, he has an imposing frame and can seem like a magnet for the ball.

Alisson made 109 saves last season and was the only goalkeeper in Serie A with a shots saved percentage of 79% or higher. Limit that to attempts inside the box and his record is the best in Italy over the past five years.

More impressively, Opta's advance metrics show that given the quality of chances Alisson faced, the average goalkeeper would have conceded 36.31 goals. Alisson is no ordinary goalkeeper. He allowed just 28; a difference of eight, the biggest in Serie A.

As Roma and Edin Dzeko did not score as freely as they had done the previous season, his interventions assumed greater significance. Some were jaw-dropping.

Alisson's first Champions League game of the season set the tone for the rest of the campaign. Roma were out-played by Atletico Madrid but held out for a 0-0 draw thanks to a goalkeeper who made nine saves.

In October, he had to tell the pundits in the Sky Italia studio to leave the comparisons with Gordon Banks alone. Adam Masina, now of Watford, thought he had scored for Bologna, just as Pele believed he had netted for Brazilagainst England at the 1970 World Cup. But Alisson was able to dive and flick the ball up and over, stopping a certain goal.

Roma goalkeeping coach Marco Savorani deserves a great share of the credit in the blossoming of Alisson.

Savorani was also behind Wojciech Szczesny's progression. The former Arsenal goalkeeper came on leaps and bounds under his guidance, so much so that Juventus chose him to be Buffon's successor.

"He makes everything look easy," Savorani has said about Alisson. "He reads the game. He keeps very cool. Over the last 18 months he has refined his technique a lot. He's a champion with a capital C."

A bargain for the 8m euros (£6.7m) Roma paid Brazil's Internacional for him, Alisson will be one of the most profitable deals in the club's history, a parting gift from Walter Sabatini, Monchi's predecessor as sporting director.

Not that Roma fans are overly pleased with the idea of losing another star in the same summer as Radja Nainggolan's departure to Inter. That said, 11 new signings have come in and the bitterness is lessened by the confidence in Monchi and the process he started last year.

Roma did not need the money after a run to the Champions League semi-finals and the sponsorship it attracted, which helped free them from their Financial Fair Play settlement agreement with Uefa.

But when someone is willing to pay 22m euros (£19.6m) more than the existing record for a goalkeeper and can offer a salary outside the limits of your wage structure it is hard to turn them down.

At least this summer Roma benefit from the inflation the Neymar transfer provoked, which contributed to making the sale of Mohamed Salah look cheap when they sold him to Liverpool for £34m in 2017.

Liverpool can be confident Alisson will make as big an impact relative to his position as their last signing from the Eternal City.

A top-class goalkeeper was the missing piece in Jurgen Klopp's Anfield puzzle. But in Alisson, Liverpool look to have found it.
"He makes everything look easy," Savorani has said about Alisson. "He reads the game. He keeps very cool. Over the last 18 months he has refined his technique a lot. He's a champion with a capital C."
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Yeah like anyone is gonna read that

Skylarker · Jul 21, 2018

Tel said: ↑

It's a clever signing really from the owners. It's no-lose. He simply cannot be any worse than what they have so there's barely any pressure.

Reminds me of when Klopp claimed people were bullying Karius for his mistakes a few years back. De Gea went through the same abuse and come out on top. These lads have to have thick skin and if Alisson has thick skin then it's almost impossible for him to fail given his predecessor being the worst GK in PL history.
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Karius might still come good.

I might win the lottery.

You may grow out of your fanboy ways.

Anything is possible mate.

Skylarker · Jul 21, 2018

The Liebherr Legacy said: ↑

Yeah like anyone is gonna read that
Click to expand...

Read it mate. Interesting ****.

Tel (they/them) · Jul 21, 2018

Skylarker said: ↑

Karius might still come good.

I might win the lottery.

You may grow out of your fanboy ways.

Anything is possible mate.
Click to expand...

You might make it through a transfer window without a meltdown.

People from Liverpool might start returning stolen goods.

Matthew might stop swearing in his videos.

Skylarker · Jul 21, 2018

Tel said: ↑

You might make it through a transfer window without a meltdown.

People from Liverpool might start returning stolen goods.

Matthew might stop swearing in his videos.
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You might not copy me.

Libby might not get pissed.

PISKIE might eat normal food.

Tel (they/them) · Jul 21, 2018

Skylarker said: ↑

You might not copy me.

Libby might not get pissed.

PISKIE might eat normal food.
Click to expand...

HIAG might make it through the gym door.

Jazz might start to read road signs.

Ginge might make something edible.

SaintsForTheWin · Jul 21, 2018

The Liebherr Legacy said: ↑

Yeah like anyone is gonna read that
Click to expand...

Gave up after the first paragraph.

I will give it a go when I’m struggling to sleep.

DerekTheMole · Jul 21, 2018

I find it remarkable that Juve paid £32m for Buffon in 2001 and that's not been beaten for a GK until now. If this blokes half as good as Buffon then he's worth it.

StanDMan · Jul 29, 2018

Blueman said: ↑

As much as I hate you lot, I think you lot have done some great business tbf. I'm still not sure about Allison, but if he turns out to be as good as you say he is then you will be in with a shout. Im off to be sick.
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Klopp finally addresses keeper position.
If Alisson doesn't do a Bravo - which is unlikely - Pool will be immense.
If they can get Matip fit - they have impressive defense.
Shaqiri for 13 million is day light robbery.
If Sturridge stays fit and covers Bobby their front 3 or 4 will be lights out.
Keita Cannot be worse than Can or Hendo

Title is Pool's to lose tbh.
would rather Klopp win than Fraud pep or Judas jose!!

HRH Custard VC · Jul 29, 2018

Aliss > De Gea

Libby Derby County, we're coming for you

Skylarker PL High Commissioner

Skylarker PL High Commissioner

Tel (they/them) Sucky’s Bailiff

Skylarker PL High Commissioner

Tel (they/them) Sucky’s Bailiff

SaintsForTheWin Any holes a goal

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Aliss > De Gea

Libby Derby County, we're coming for you

Skylarker PL High Commissioner

Skylarker PL High Commissioner

Tel (they/them) Sucky’s Bailiff

Skylarker PL High Commissioner

Tel (they/them) Sucky’s Bailiff

SaintsForTheWin Any holes a goal

DerekTheMole Well-Known Member

StanDMan Well-Known Member Forum Moderator

HRH Custard VC National Car Park Attendant

Share This Page

StanDMan Well-Known Member
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