Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson snubbed the likes of Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero when naming the toughest opponent he’s faced in the Premier League.
The Brazilian shot-stopper, who became the world’s most expensive goalkeeper in 2018 when he joined Liverpool from Roma, has certainly justified that £67 million price tag.
After helping the Reds end their 30-year wait for a top-flight title in 2020, Alisson has established himself as one of the world’s best goalkeeper under Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot.
In fact, Slot described his number one as the best goalkeeper in the world on Wednesday night after he stopped Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16 with a remarkable nine saves.
“I have had some very good players as a manager but never the best goalkeeper in the world until now,” Slot said about Alisson, who kept his 22nd Champions League clean sheet.
“He showed that he is the best in the world today. To go away with a win here was probably a bit more than we deserved.”
Across his six-year spell with Liverpool, the Brazil international has come up against some tough opponents at Anfield but his toughest may come as a surprise to many.
Speaking in an interview with the PFA, Alisson explained why West Ham striker Michail Antonio is the toughest opponent he’s faced in the Premier League.
“I would say, one that is really annoying is Michail Antonio,” he said in 2023. “The guy is too strong. Set-pieces are hard against him. [He is] always on my toes.”
A short time later, Antonio played down Alisson being the greatest goalkeeper in Premier League history.
“I think it’s gone a bit too far as in best keeper ever in the Premier League,” he said on The Footballers Football Podcast.
Alisson has come up against Antonio on numerous occasions. Image credit: Getty
“Obviously, yeah, he’s a good playmaking goalkeeper but so is Ederson. To say the best ever in the Premier League, I think it’s a bit of a stretch. Schmeichel, Van Der Sar, Petr Cech. I just don’t feel he has done enough yet,.”
Thoughts on Alisson’s admission? Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: UEFA
Topics: Alisson, Liverpool, Champions League, Premier League
