Arne Slot has praised returning Alisson Becker as he fumed over his side's performance in a narrow Champions League win over Girona.
Alisson started at the Estadi Montilivi for the first time since early October and kept a clean sheet. The Brazilian was forced to make five saves by La Liga and held his own well.
Liverpool boss Slot has insisted Alisson has remained the club's No.1 despite Caoimhin Kelleher's impressive performances in his absence. Now the Dutchman simply wants his first choice to stay fit.
Liverpool have carefully managed Alisson's return, with the 32-year-old returning to training last month but only now being picked to start in goal. Slot's first choice has been made clear.
The Dutchman said: “I joked that the players wanted to see how fit he really was to give him so much work. He showed again today why I said so often that he is our first goalkeeper, nothing to do with Caoimh to have.” [Kelleher] he did so well.
“Alisson has been so important for so many years and has shown why he is one of the best or the best in the world in my opinion. And let's hope that he can continue to deliver these performances. Let's hope even more that he can stay fit.”
Slot was disappointed that Darwin Nunez was unable to put himself on the scoresheet. The Reds striker has scored just three goals in 19 appearances this season and the Liverpool coach admitted he kept his striker on the pitch in the hope of turning around his fortunes.
“What I can agree on is that he missed a few opportunities,” said Slot. “Then the question is always: does this have something to do with low self-confidence or is this a situation he is currently in?
“I think every striker around the world has periods where every ball goes in, and sometimes he has periods where you try so hard but you can't score. The good thing is we have a lot of players who can score.” us – today Mo weather.
“I would have liked to see Darwin score, because I think every striker wants to score [and] needs goals – that's why I kept him indoors for a long time. He was a threat, but unfortunately could not score.
“Yes, Alisson made a lot of saves, but I think if you make highlights of this game, we will all also see some of the chances that we had, and that is normal. What is not normal is that we get so many chances. “
Comments