Liverpool’s ‘Best in the World’ Alisson returns from injury
The suspension of the Premier League due to coronavirus could not have come at a worse time for Liverpool fans but the delay has at least given goalkeeper Alisson Becker time to fully recover from a hip injury.
There can be few regrets for Liverpool supporters when they look back at the first eight months of a season that has left them on the brink of a first Premier League title. They sit 25 points ahead and have all but secured the league, but may feel that they could have done slightly better in cup competitions.
Covid-19 has Alisson ready for return
First-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker suffered a knee injury in training in early March and could only watch on as his side were eliminated from both the Champions League and FA Cup in quick succession.
His deputy, Adrián, was at fault for crucial goals in both ties and only served to demonstrate how important the signing of Alisson was in the summer of 2018. The Brazilian completed his recovery training programme at home under instruction from Liverpool’s goalkeeping coach John Achterberg.
“He sent videos, doing some jumping and exercises,” Achterberg told Liverpoolfc.com. “We were working with him until the lockdown and he was basically fit.
“Now it’s for him to maintain it in the house, like the other goalkeepers. They all get their programmes from the fitness department so they will do the job and the work to try to stay as fit as they can, like all the other players as well.”
Although the future of the 2019/20 Premier League season is yet to be decided it will of great relief to all Liverpool fans to know that one of their key players is back to full fitness as we await football’s return.
2019 was a remarkable year for Alisson as he lifted the Champions League and the Copa America with Liverpool and Brazil respectively. His stellar performances were also recognised with a string of personal awards: the FIFA Goalkeeper of the Year; Champions League goalkeeper of the season; Premier League and Copa America Golden Gloves, as well as the inaugural Yashine Trophy.
Gary Neville has pinpointed the singings of Alisson and Virgil van Dijk as key moments in Liverpool’s journey to becoming real title contenders under Jürgen Klopp.
"It did always feel like [Liverpool] were toying at it in the transfer market, [they] wouldn't quite go for the best players,” Neville said on Sky Sports. “Then all of a sudden Van Dijk happens and then Alisson happens and you think 'Oh'. They were the last pieces of the jigsaw in essence."
"Alisson has saved Liverpool on numerous occasion this season; earned them big points. Great goalkeepers win you point after point after point after point. You don’t always notice it.”