Keeper Alisson is in wonderland for Reds
Job on Italians in Dublin
ALL the familiar favourites were there led by Mo Salah – but Liverpool fans packing out the Aviva Stadium in Dublin only came to see one man – Alisson.
And the Brazilian star gave Kop fans more than a glimpse why he’ll be a big hit at Anfield this season as Jurgen Klopp’s stars ran riot with a stunning goal blitz to crush Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli.
Liverpool looked a cut above – almost literally in the case of James Milner, who was substituted after suffering a bad gash to his head.
Awesome
The Kop’s firepower has never been in doubt – and they showed against the Italians they’ll be an awesome attacking force this season.
It’s in goal where they needed an upgrade to end their Premier League title jinx – and Alisson has given them just that.
Making his debut after his worldrecord £67 million signing, it took the former Roma keeper just three minutes to earn the fans’ adulation.
The South American, 25, pinged a stunning 65-yard pass into the path of Salah – and in an instant the nightmare spectre of Loris Karius that’s haunted them since that Champions League night in Kiev in May began to fade.
And as the move developed there was even more good news with James Milner slamming home a leftfoot shot after Sadio Mane’s pass to give Klopp’s stars a quickfire fourth -minute lead on the way to an easy win for their penultimate pre-season friendly. But Alisson didn’t stop there. The new keeper had a definite swagger and went on to dazzle with some deft footwork inspiring confidence in his defenders and exuding the kind of self-belief Karius can only dream about.
Commanded
He commanded his area, organised defenders and for good measure tipped a shot from Napoli playmaker Lorenzo Insigne around the post. As an antidote to the jitters Karius regularly gave his own team Alisson was just what the doctor ordered. And it’ll give Liverpool the type of reassuring presence in goal that David de Gea, Ederson, Thibaut
After a summer of astute spending by Klopp expectations have soared that now it’s time to end the long wait for their first league title in 29 years.
Their fans are optimistic history could be made after several moments of sublime joy last season – notably their Champions League victory over title winners Manchester City.
Last term Reds had a lethal first XI but depth of squad was suspect.
That’s no longer the case – and a look at Liverpool’s bench in Dublin was an indicator that Klopp now has a group of players with the skill, strength and ability to make a title assault.
With skipper Jordan Henderson and Croatian Dejan Lovren back on Monday after their World Cup exploits Liverpool’s bench still boasted new boys Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri as well as Daniel Sturridge and teenage full-back Trent Alexander-arnold.