Friendly foe Ederson puts rivalry aside

ALISSON has revealed how rival Ederson urged him to join Liverpool in his world-record transfer.

He spoke to the Manchester City goalkeeper about the Premier League as Liverpool and Roma negotiated his £67million move.

Ederson is Alisson’s main rival for Brazil’s No.1 spot and now the pair will be in competition in England.

Yet they are pals off the pitch and Alisson says he consulted Ederson, along with the other Brazilians in the Premier League. “Yes, we spoke,” he said. “I actually spoke to all the national team players who play in the Premier League.

“I only heard good things. If not the biggest, the Premier League is one of the biggest leagues in the world. It’s very competitive.”

Naturally, Alisson rang Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino and his pal told him he would be happy on Merseyside.

He said: “When the negotiations became official, I spoke to him and I only heard good things about the club and the city. He is a player who feels really at home here. He said if I were to come here, I’d be really happy as well.”

Alisson, 25, will also be loved by the fans if he can reproduce the form he displayed last season for Roma as he helped them finish third in Serie A and reach the Champions League semi-finals.

He was ranked among the top three keepers in European football – above Ederson – in terms of total saves (155), save percentage (79.3) and successful passes (1,125).

He is the epitome of the modern-day sweeper-keeper and Liverpool fans hope he will be the final piece in Jurgen Klopp’s title jigsaw.

Former Roma goalkeeping coach Roberto Negrisolo has hailed him as the “Messi of goalkeepers”.

“I’m quick to come off my line,” said Alisson. “I’m an agile keeper despite being tall. I’ve got very good agility and strength in my legs.

“With the ball at my feet, I like to get involved in the play. I think my style will fit in very well here.”