THE GLOVES ARE OFF
United legend Schmeichel: Alisson under real scrutiny after Foxes gaffe
PETER SCHMEICHEL has warned Alisson he is now under extra pressure to justify his fee after the blunder against Leicester.
Liverpool’s £67million summer signing kept clean sheets in his first three Premier League matches.
But the former Roma keeper, 25, was robbed of possession in his own box by Kelechi Iheanacho on the way to conceding his first goal in English football.
The Brazil No.1 is now on international duty in the US before returning to face Tottenham in his next league game.
And Manchester United legend Schmeichel said: “I think Alisson is a great goalkeeper. He said even before the match he was going to provide the odd heart-stopping moment.
“That is his style. I think he got a bit ahead of himself trying to show how good he is. What I’ll be looking for is how he reacts to now being put under scrutiny.
“The next few months he will be under pressure. The media will be scrutinising every little thing he is doing. He will get extra attention because of Liverpool goalkeepers over the last five to six years.
“Can he still go out and play at this very high level? That is the art of goalkeeping. That you have that ability. When he made the mistake, the camera was on him a few times, he looked worried. It was playing on his mind. He needs to work on that. It’s the only way you can survive.”
Schmeichel (right) was in London for the announcement of the shortlists for the Best FIFA Football Awards. His son Kasper was named among the top three keepers – along with Thibaut Courtois and Hugo Lloris – after signing a new five-year contract at Leicester on Friday.
“Of course, he would have liked to have tried one of the bigger clubs, but there is no space – there was no movement anywhere,” said Schmeichel Sr. “Everyone among the biggest clubs in the world is covered with keepers.” Despite his weekend gaffe, Alisson has been handed a vote of confidence from Jurgen Klopp. The Reds boss has insisted he will NOT rotate keepers in Europe as he did last season.
When asked if European rotation would be repeated this year, Klopp offered a blunt “no” in response, and insisted Alisson would be his No.1 in both the Premier and Champions League.
Mo Salah has been nominated for the Best FIFA Men’s Player Award along with Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric. The award will be made in London on September 24.
BY NEIL McLEMAN @NeilMcLeman