Alisson wins the acclaim while Karius quietly exits
The timing looked brutal, Liverpool’s choreography ruthless.
Less than 10 minutes after Alisson roused the Kop with the save to secure his team’s third consecutive win, the club announced the departure of Loris Karius. Liverpool – Jurgen Klopp, especially – tried to be sensitive in handling the keeper’s post-champions League final trauma, but you could forgive the German for hearing a door slam as Karius landed in Istanbul.
The planning of the announcement was not as heartless as it seems, the outgoing keeper arriving at Besiktas for his two-year loan before victory over Brighton. Nevertheless, the juxtaposition was punishing. Here was Alisson being lustily applauded, not only for the 88th-minute intervention to stop Pascal Gross heading an equaliser, but the kind of flicks you expect from youngsters on Copacabana beach. He made a few decisions in possession Karius would advise him to avoid should Karim Benzema be a future opponent.
Had Alisson’s predecessor opted to chip the ball over Anthony Knockaert’s head, it is unlikely he would have received the standing ovation afforded his replacement. “It could be too risky, but it’s part of the game. We are a team that plays from the back with the ball on the ground,” said the Brazilian No1.
“I try my best to help the team in the build-up. If sometimes there is a situation where there is dribbling, I do it carefully. Mistakes may happen, but we work hard during the week to make everything correct during the matches.”
Klopp agreed with his keeper to a point, but commended his late rescue more than the Xabi Alonso impressions. “I prefer the save to the chip,” he said. “Of course, there was a different heart-rate at that moment. It was not for showing off. It was the right decision. If he kicks, there could be a block, so he chips the ball and it is all good. He is very confident and very good with the ball and that helps us massively.”
There is more to this instant adulation than Alisson simply not being Karius or Simon Mignolet, although – cruel or not – that undoubtedly helps perceptions. The £65million recruit from Roma has an aura and stature to be expected for his fee.
The art of being a great Liverpool keeper is to do little exceedingly well. Alisson has achieved this so far. That is where Karius, Mignolet and – going further back – the likes of Sander Westerveld and David James fell short.
For too long, visiting teams have needed only one chance to score against Liverpool. Brighton had periodic encouragement, but when that opportunity came, the goalkeeper delivered to protect the victory secured by Mohamed Salah’s 23rd-minute goal.
This is only the third game, but these examples feel significant for a team who will be formidable if they continue to triumph without being at their best. “If we are good then we win, if we are average then very often we lost,” said Klopp. “Usually, we win or we draw when we are good and lose most of the time when we are average. That is what we have to change. We want to be brilliant all the time but, if that doesn’t happen, that doesn’t mean we don’t go for a result.
“My whole life, I have found 1-0 a very pleasing result.”
Brighton were heavily beaten at Anfield at the end of last season so manager Chris Hughton was more enthused than frustrated.
There are accusations that the lower-half clubs fail to challenge at the toughest venues because they adopt negative tactics rather than “have a go”. Brighton were more pragmatic than adventurous until the second half but, for Hughton, courage in possession can be defined in different ways.
“You can be brave and then there are two or three passes around you and the goal is in. Maybe it was not brave,” said Hughton, surely the Premier League’s most underrated coach. “You have to be tactical. You see a Wolves side getting a result against Manchester City and, although they sprung really well, they played five at the back and four in midfield. So, if you get a result it is the way to go – pressing. But if it does not work, everyone says it is suicidal. These are the decisions you have to make.”
Brighton’s strategy almost worked and, on this form, they will stay up again.
Liverpool, meanwhile, will seek a fourth consecutive league win at the start of a season for the first time since 1990. Klopp may want his side’s title pretensions to stay under the radar, but their progress is healthy more than stealthy. Alisson became only the fourth Liverpool goalkeeper in 51 years to keep clean sheets in the first three league matches of a season with the 1-0 win over Brighton. Bruce Grobbelaar, Pepe Reina and Simon Mignolet, who achieved the feat twice, are the others.
Alisson’s save to thwart Pascal Gross in the 88th minute showed supreme reaction speed and strength.