Even though Alisson Becker returned to action for Liverpool on Sunday, he still wasn’t able to prevent the defeat to Crystal Palace.
The 31-year-old had been out of action for several months because of a muscle injury, with Liverpool going on to win the League Cup in his absence.
Caoimhin Kelleher deputised in his absence and did a healthy job, but there is a clear difference between the two.
Michael Owen made it clear that Alisson Becker is ‘top of the tree in terms of world-class goalkeepers’, as he told Premier League Productions (14/04/24 at 1:45 pm).
From his fellow countryman at Manchester City to Aston Villa’s World Cup winner, the Premier League has some high-quality shot-stoppers.
But Owen has noticed a worrying trend with Liverpool’s man between the stick after his return to action during the 1-0 loss to Palace.
The former striker thinks it’s ‘quite strange’ that Alisson has muscle injuries ‘a fair bit’, especially for a goalkeeper.
Back in December, he suffered a muscular problem and was out for a few weeks, before suffering a hamstring problem in February.
Alisson Becker’s injuries for Liverpool
“It’s huge,” said Owen on Alisson returning for Liverpool. “Goalkeepers are always important and have always been important positions in the game.
“But Liverpool have one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He does get injured a fair bit for a goalkeeper. Muscle injuries as well, which is quite strange for a goalkeeper.
“He is top of the tree in terms of world-class goalkeepers.”
Liverpool in the Europa League and the Premier League
If Liverpool don’t get their act together, then by the time the week is up, their season could well and truly be over.
Yes, Atalanta have a three-goal advantage, but if they can score that amount of goals in one leg, why can’t Klopp’s side?
And if, somehow, the team can pull off another Istanbul-style miracle there, then beat Fulham days later and things will look a lot different heading into the final few weeks of the season.
There has been a lot of talk about Liverpool’s attack misfiring, but the defence needs to get their act together also and that’s where fans will be hoping Alisson can help change matters.