This is a period of change for Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who must make do without Jurgen Klopp and the two goalkeeping coaches he considers lifelong friends.
Fortunately for new coach Arne Slot, the 31-year-old dismissed the possibility of greater unrest after a bid from Cristiano Ronaldo’s club Al-Nassr from the lucrative Saudi Arabian league.
Instead, the Brazilian is committed to bringing a new era of ‘greatness’ to Anfield. After starting the Slot era with a win and a clean sheet at Ipswich, their first home game is against Brentford on Sunday.
“Yes, there was interest (from Saudi Arabia),” Alisson confirmed, speaking in a lounge at Liverpool’s Kirkby headquarters, overlooking a row of pristine training pitches.
‘When you hear the amounts of money other players get paid to play in Saudi Arabia, you get a little bit attracted, that’s normal, but it never got to the point where I started talking about salaries.
Alisson has insisted he plays football for love and has no plans to leave Liverpool
He admits the money Saudi Arabia is offering him is ‘attractive’ but he is ‘very happy’ to stay where he is
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“I have a contract with Liverpool and I want to finish it, or make a new contract. I am very happy. As long as I have my contract, I will concentrate here at Liverpool.
“If it is in the interest of the club to negotiate with another club about me, then it will be a different conversation. I am open (to Saudi Arabia), but not at the moment.”
Alisson is one of nine Brazilians to have made 200 Premier League appearances (only six have made 200 starts) and his contract at Anfield runs until 2027. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, winning the Champions League at the end of his first season in England and the Premier League in the second.
His reputation was further enhanced with a late winner against West Brom, which Klopp called the most memorable goal of his time as Liverpool manager. Those days are over, however, at the insistence of the German himself, with Slot now in charge.
While Alisson acknowledges that there have been some changes between the two managers, he does not see the change of leadership as revolutionary.
Reflecting on his first meeting with Slot, he says: “It was important. I saw how cool he was and how clear his ideas were. I think he is the right choice. The style he brings is similar to what we had before. It was smart of the club to appoint someone and not the opposite (of Klopp).
“People make football too complicated. We have top players and if you make it easy for them and bring good ideas, that’s the best way. Our training sessions are just a bit longer now because he implements new things.”
Alisson has already seen his distribution skills being used. ‘Slots’ style of play is the way I like to play: building from the back. Everyone wants the ball, so I have a lot of options in front of me.
Alisson believes Arne Slot is the ‘right choice’ to succeed Jurgen Klopp because of his playing style
Alisson had a strong relationship with Klopp but has been underwhelmed by Slot so far
“It’s not the manager who says, ‘Just play short passes’. He’s open to everything and understands that sometimes you have to play long balls. We have fast players up front. If we can create space from goal kicks or deep positions, that’s also good for us.”
Klopp signed Alisson in 2018 as the final piece in his jigsaw puzzle and the German was the only manager he had in England until last weekend. But the change in goalkeeping coaches, with Fabian Otte replacing John Achterberg and Jack Robinson, has arguably had an even greater impact on his day-to-day routine.
“That’s the hardest part. Not only because of the work, but also because of the personal. I’ve been here for six years and I’ve built a lot of good relationships,” says the South American.
“I am still in touch with John and Jack and they will be friends for life. I am very grateful for what they have done. They were much more than professionals. Otte is a nice and enthusiastic man. He is young and brings a lot of energy and loves to work. That is what I needed.
“The staff has left a legacy in all our lives. We have made history, but that is done. This is a new beginning. The players are happy with the way things are going and we hope to bring results and trophies.”
Alisson was struck by tragedy in 2021 when his father, Jose, drowned in Brazil, so he has a different perspective on his career, speaking pragmatically about Liverpool’s pursuit of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia and Georgia.
Alisson revealed that Liverpool have been kept informed of their interest in Giorgi Mamardashvili
Valencia goalkeeper Mamardashvili is unlikely to arrive before next year if Liverpool complete a transfer
He appreciates that Liverpool kept him informed of their interest, which he sees as a sign of respect. ‘The club has to prepare for the future. We are not going to exist forever. I have a lot of energy and still have a lot to give, but Liverpool has to prepare for the coming seasons.
‘I knew about it (the interest in Mamardashvili) before it came out and that’s a good message for me because the club values what I think.’
It is unlikely that Mamardashvili will arrive in England before next year.
“For my part, as long as I have my contract here and we are both happy, and my family, I will stay,” Alisson added. “I have never thought about leaving (this summer) and I am excited about what this season brings us.”