Liverpool are bracing themselves for concrete interest from Juventus in goalkeeper Alisson Becker in the coming transfer window
It became a tune synonymous with the glory days of recent past for Liverpool. But there was a very different feel to the first airing in some time of the Bob Marley & The Wailers classic ‘Three Little Birds’ after the final whistle at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
Rather than a celebration, the song’s chief message that everything is going to be alright seemed more the supporters reassuring each other – and possibly the players also – that matters will surely improve next season following a tortuous and emotionally-draining campaign.
And it came on a day when Liverpool’s chief protector made a long-awaited return and issued a reminder of why the uncertainty over his future is one of the most intriguing subplots of what will potentially be an era-defining summer.
Alisson Becker was back between the sticks after 10 games out with a hamstring problem and, with a superb close-range save to deny Brentford goalscorer Kevin Schade in the first half and an overall composed performance, brought an additional sense of calm to the rearguard that understandably isn’t quite there yet when Giorgi Mamardashvili is in goal.
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The problem for Liverpool over recent seasons is that Alisson hasn’t been in a position to produce any sort of level of performance often enough, hampered primarily by a recurring hamstring issues.
The Brazil international was injured or ill for 18 of Liverpool’s 50 Premier League and Champions League matches this season – 36% of the combined total – having missed 28% last term and 27% of the top-flight games alone the previous campaign.
Given Alisson remains one of the finest goalkeepers in the game, that is a significant time to be without such a key player. Inevitably, it was going to disrupt Liverpool at some point.
And it’s the lack of consistent availability that has left the Reds with a decision to make this summer over Alisson’s future, despite triggering their option earlier this year to extend his contract by a further 12 months.
Of course, that was in part due to preventing the player leaving on a free this summer. It has, though, done little to dispel the notion among some that Alisson could have now played his last game for the club.
To be fair, the 33-year-old didn’t exactly have the demeanour of someone who was going to follow Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson out the door when taking part in the traditional end-of-season lap of appreciation.
The waters were muddied further by contrasting reports over the weekend with claims in Italian outlet Tuttosport stating Alisson has agreed a three-year deal with Juventus while WinWin.com has suggested the goalkeeper has decided to stay at Liverpool.
Liverpool can realistically ill afford to lose another strong personality in the dressing room. And the performance of Alisson’s former understudy Caoimhin Kelleher for Brentford on Sunday further intensified the debate over whether Mamardashvili is quite ready to take over as the undisputed number one just yet.
Those advocating a move for Kelleher, however, should be mindful that with no buyback clause, Liverpool would have to pay significantly more than the £18million deal they agreed to sell the Republic of Ireland international last summer.
Having returned to fitness, Alisson is almost certain to put considerations over his long-term future on the backburner as he now links up with the Brazil squad ahead of the forthcoming World Cup. As his country’s number one goalkeeper, the expectation will weigh heavy given the Selecao have now gone 24 years since last winning the competition.
After that, though, matters aren’t quite so clearcut. A suitable offer from Juventus would no doubt give all parties involved pause for thought. But Liverpool would surely benefit from Alisson staying for at least one more season.
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