Klopp gets the rugby pads out for Alisson

ALISSON has been given a crash course in what life is like for goalkeepers in England to prepare for his first big test at Liverpool. The Brazil international had the luxury of almost being a spectator in the opening weekend dismissal of West Ham, a gentle introduction to the Premier League. All that will change, though, at Selhurst Park tonight. Jurgen Klopp suspects Alisson could be targeted, and in order to get him ready the Liverpool manager gave goalkeeping coach John Achterberg the green light to take out rugby pads and subject the 25-year-old to no-nonsense treatment. Klopp and Achterberg have used this technique before with Loris Karius. The sessions involve crosses being fired into the area while someone buffets the keeper with the pads. ‘It is what the goalkeepers always do,’ Klopp said. ‘It is not really rugby; it is goalkeeper training. We have these situations in training when we do set-pieces — the box is full with 22 players. It is all about timing. It is busy, we do it often so that the keeper gets used to that.’ Wilfried Zaha will play for Palace for the first time since signing a long-term deal and his manager, Roy Hodgson, is adamant that maturity will further improve the winger. ‘He’s more aware where his strengths lie and where his weaknesses are,’ Hodgson said. ‘The important thing for us is not to put too much pressure on him.’