Creeping Alisson concerns grow with Liverpool future uncertain

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Alisson Becker remains Liverpool's undisputed number one and is happy at Anfield, but transfer rumours linking him to Juventus, Inter Milan and Saudi Arabia continue to grow ahead of Friday's FA Cup clash at WolvesAlisson has been solid if not spectacular(Image: Andrew Kearns - CameraSport, CameraSport via Getty Images)With any other shot-stopper, the outcome would have seemed almost certain. But as Wolves substitute Rodrigo Gomes bore down on Alisson Becker, there was genuine conviction amongst the Liverpool faithful that the Brazilian, regarded as the finest in the world at handling one-on-one scenarios, could rescue his side yet again.To be fair, it still demanded an excellent finish while under pressure from Ibrahima Konate for Gomes to beat Alisson and give Wolves the lead and utlimately the win.However, rather less impressive was the goalkeeper's rushed and underhit clearance deep into stoppage time from an ill-judged Curtis Jones backpass that handed possession straight back to the hosts and eventually allowed Andre to score the deflected winner.READ MORE: Peter Crouch sends message to FSG over Arne Slot's Liverpool futureREAD MORE: Rob Edwards underlines importance of FA Cup clash vs Liverpool amid relegation fightWhile it has been that sort of campaign for Liverpool, the same cannot entirely be said of Alisson, who remains one of the few immune from criticism for the season's struggles.Admittedly, as demonstrated by his peculiar headlong charge at Matheus Nunes - also in stoppage time - which enabled Erling Haaland to snatch an undeserved victory from the penalty spot for Manchester City at Anfield last month, he has not been entirely free from the odd error.

Alisson has largely maintained his reputation for reliability.However, given his displays have been consistent rather than particularly outstanding - it's hard to recall many standout stops - this has arguably been his quietest campaign since his 2018 arrival from Roma.Naturally, his cause hasn't been helped by nearly two months on the sidelines during the autumn following the latest in a concerning sequence of hamstring problems. These fitness worries have undoubtedly affected his play recently, with Alisson seldom taking goal kicks and, as witnessed at Wolves, occasionally seeming hesitant to strike the ball firmly when clearing.Alisson has been linked with a move away from Liverpool this summer(Image: Getty Images)Yet goalkeeping encompasses more than simply long-range distribution with the feet, and Alisson's significance is evident in Liverpool's results.

In the 10 matches he's missed, whether through injury, illness or rotation, the Reds have suffered six defeats.In the 31 fixtures he's started, they've lost the same number, though one came via penalties and another saw Alisson forced off after 56 minutes.Concerningly, his save percentage for the Premier League this campaign sits at 64.9% - amongst the lowest in the division - having averaged at least 71.9% in each of his previous seven seasons in the competition. Only Arsenal have conceded fewer shots on target than Liverpool in the top flight this term.Not that Giorgi Mamardashvili or, for one match in the League Cup, Freddie Woodman have particularly disappointed anyone.Nevertheless, with Arne Slot facing mounting pressure to produce results this season, it was noteworthy that Alisson was selected for only his 10th-ever FA Cup appearance - and his first in the competition for two years - when he started the fourth round victory over Brighton at Anfield three weeks ago.READ MORE: Arsenal legend deeply concerned for Arne Slot's job at LiverpoolREAD MORE: Wolves boss Rob Edwards predicts Liverpool change ahead of FA Cup gameThis means the Brazilian is virtually guaranteed to keep his place for the quick return to Wolves on Friday in the fifth round, and should remain, barring injury, between the posts from now until the end of the campaign.Where the 33-year-old will be playing next season, however, has become an increasingly discussed topic.Alisson signed a new five-year contract in 2021, with Liverpool expected to activate their option to extend by a further 12 months.