Alisson was in good form again in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Newcastle, and he has spoken out about recent victories.
Alisson Becker believes Liverpool are now being rewarded for keeping faith in their methods after a difficult start to the year – but admits they can take nothing for granted as they enter a pivotal period of the season.
The Reds further rekindled hopes of Champions League qualification with a second Premier League victory inside a week by winning 2-0 at Newcastle United on Saturday evening.
Jurgen Klopp’s side – who had lost their previous three away Premier League matches – have now moved to within six points of the fourth-placed Magpies with a game in hand.
And Alisson has underlined how Liverpool retained trust in their way of working despite the New Year slump that also saw their reign as FA Cup holders ended.
“The difference was the faith and belief that we have in ourselves and the work we do and in the team our quality,” he said. “We keep doing the things we should do and now we are getting the rewards in the matches. We have to keep that confidence that for a while was away for us but now looks like it is back.
“A week ago we were talking about bad moments and a bad situation, and now we are talking about a really good performance. That’s how football works. You don’t like the feeling when you go through a difficult moment, but we work hard to change our situation. We are getting the momentum and confidence again but we can’t take things for granted.
“We are really happy with the three points and clean sheet, the performance as well and the way we started the game. The last month has been a big challenge, the way we have been approaching and starting games, we have been speaking a lot about it. We did a really good start and scoring two early goals was massive for us. Having an extra player, keeping the performance the way we did was important.”
Alisson was integral to the game’s defining moment midway through the first half, when his searching clearance released Mohamed Salah behind the Newcastle defence and forced Magpies goalkeeper Nick Pope to handle outside his area for a straight red card.
Nevertheless, the home side created a number of chances with Liverpool indebted to a clutch of fine saves from their Brazilian shot-stopper. “The last game (against Everton) I didn’t have too much to do, the players did all the hard work,” said Alisson. “Here I did a few saves, but with the help of the defenders closing the gaps and closing the shots.
“I know Mo, he knows me, so I know when I catch the ball he is going to run like crazy. I know how fast he is. The only thing I need to do is do a good pass or volley. I think that’s one of my qualities. At the moment you don’t think too much, you just see the space in behind where I can put the ball. That moment helped us in the game. Nearly an assist, but unfortunately not!”
Saturday’s game begins a busy period for Liverpool of potentially eight games in 29 days with Real Madrid up next in the Champions League round of 16 first leg at Anfield on Tuesday.
And Alisson, speaking to LFC TV, added: “We must keep working hard and approaching the games like we did at Newcastle. We have a massive opponent coming in the Champions League, and big things to come.
“We are really excited about the busy period. These are the moments we are here for, to play the big games and get to this moment of the season when things are tight. I like to play game after game every few days. If you have a long week you work too much on the training ground, for a goalkeeper it’s really hard!
“But when you have a good feeling and have the confidence from good results, it helps (when you have a lot of games). It will be a massive game (against Real Madrid), we are going to need our supporters helping us in the match, and we’ll need the same energy as Saturday to win the match.”
