It’s yet another great shave!
VvD GIVES THANKS FOR CLEAN-CUT ALISSON
VIRGIL VAN DIJK reckons Kop keeper Alisson looks like an American without his beard but, thankfully for Liverpool, he still plays like a Brazilian.
Alisson’s facial hair is clearly not the key to his powers – he made four key second-half saves to snuff out Southampton’s chances of a comeback. His fourth stop, from Che Adams, was world class, diving low to his right to keep out the Saints striker’s power header.
World class comes as standard with Alisson but Van Dijk says his team-mates never take his brilliance for granted.
“I said to him, ‘You look like an American guy, just a random guy without your beard’,” said Van Djik, smiling. “He sometimes does it and this is how he’s prepared himself for the World Cup, but what a guy.
“We never take him for granted. He’s important for us – on and off the pitch. We don’t want him to have to make saves but today he had to and he was outstanding.”
Dutch star Van Dijk could face Alisson during the World Cup and says he will take some beating because he is the world’s best goalkeeper. “Brazil are a very good team, they have two of the best goalies in their squad – and the best goalie in the world is Alisson,” said the Holland captain.
Alisson protected Liverpool’s lead, established in the first half by a header from Roberto Firmino and then Darwin Nunez’s first double for the Reds after Adams had levelled for Southampton.
After a difficult start to his Reds career following his summer move from Benfica for an initial £64million, Nunez has scored seven in his last 10 games.
The Uruguayan worked hard on the left flank, defensively as well as getting into the box for his goals, and Van Dijk feels he is adapting to Jurgen Klopp’s demands.
“We never doubted his quality but, when you have price tag like that and the goals aren’t flowing like you want...” Van Dijk said. “But it’s good how he’s reacted. “He has all the qualities for a modern-day striker. There’s a reason why we bought him. He’s stayed patient and kept his head down. All that is a credit to him.
“Hopefully he can keep scoring and remain important.”
Scottish star Andy Robertson set up Firmino’s opener and Nunez’s second to equal Leighton Baines’ Premier League record of 53 assists for a defender. Boss Klopp, who watched from the stands because of his touchline ban, felt the display showed the good and the bad of Liverpool’s rollercoaster first part to the season.
They looked highly impressive one moment but markedly vulnerable the next. Van Dijk, who stressed how important it was for the Mersey men to go into the World Cup break on a high, said: “It’s been a tough couple of months and it’s good to reach 22 points and find stability.”
Liverpool go into the World Cup break in sixth spot but have won only six of their 14 Premier League games this season.
They are seven points adrift of Spurs in fourth yet are odds on with bookies at 8-15 to book a Champions League spot, with Spurs available at 11-10.