Having one of the best goalkeepers in the world can transform a team from top-four challengers to title dominators, as proven by Alisson Becker at Liverpool. The problem is, however, the claim of having one of the best soon becomes irrelevant when he sees the physio more than his own six-yard box. And that’s the growing concern in which Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool face right now.
Alisson is quite easily one of the best shot-stoppers around as proven over the last couple of years, but with each season seems to come a fresh injury concern, leaving Liverpool with the often mistake-prone Adrian in between the sticks.
As is the fine margins of a Premier League title race, too, Liverpool cannot be advocating for a sudden drop in ability between two keepers, especially with Alisson’s all too common and growing injury list.
Alisson Injuries a Growing Concern for Liverpool
Adrian Not Good Enough
Last season when Alisson picked up an early-season injury, allowing Adrian to step in to win the Super Cup alongside some key Premier League games, Liverpool looked no better or worse than usual. Adrian did an almost perfect job and looked a reliable back up.
And then the Champions League game came, and the drop off in ability was laid bare for all to see as Adrian handed Atletico a goal on their way to the conquering of Anfield. Had Alisson been in goal, and not in the physio room, we could be talking about another glorious Champions League run for Liverpool.
Instead, Liverpool crashed out as did Adrian out of the hearts of Liverpool fans who had previously hailed him the hero of the Super-Cup. But that was meant to be a one-off, a quick injury before a swift return for Alisson. Yet, here we are with the Brazilian once again in the physio room, set to miss the Merseyside derby, leaving the fans with Adrian’s potential mistakes to contend with.
When Alisson is injured, it is like Liverpool are down to 10 men, such is the Brazilan’s presence not just off the ball but on it. His footwork and passing range helps release Liverpool from pressure in an instance and helps to recycle the ball; the players trust him.
Adrian, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to have that trust instilled in him by the likes of Virgil Van Dijk. They don’t want to recycle the ball through Adrian due to his mistake-prone nature, practically leaving them a man down.
Competitor Rather Than Teammate Needed for Alisson at Liverpool
Backup keepers are always worse than the number one, and that’s what makes them the number two. But when injuries begin to occur at Alisson’s rate, that number two needs to be ready to become the number one.
And, let’s face it, Adrian is not ready to fill the golden gloves of the Brazilian. The drop off in quality is far too much when considering the amount of game time Adrian is forced to play. If it was a couple of games a season, then fine, a gulf in class should not cost too many points.
In this instance, however, with Alisson expected to be out for six weeks, having a poor backup option will cost Liverpool potential title damaging points which is why they need to dip into the transfer market and into the EFL for a trustworthy option.
Just recently in Liverpool’s shock 7-2 defeat against Aston Villa, Adrian looked as nervous and mistake-prone as ever, gifting Villa an early goal in the thrashing.
If they can replicate what Manchester United have with David De Gea and Dean Henderson, they’ll have themselves no real concerns when Alisson Becker inevitably picks up another injury.
The injuries will be a growing concern for Liverpool as is the need to turn to Adrian to fill the impenetrable nature in which Alisson Becker brings to the Premier League champions.
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