Liverpool went to Girona in search of a sixth consecutive win in this season’s Champions League.
The Reds have had a perfect start to the competition, collecting 15 points out of 15 so far.
The trip to Girona signalled a different kind of problem for Liverpool, though, as they came up against a team in need of points.
With the Spanish side sitting 30th in the Champions League table and 9th in La Liga, many had expected the Reds to dominate proceedings.
As a result, it was perhaps seen as being a slightly gentle way to ease a fit again Alisson Becker back into action.
However, as former Liverpool full-back Stephen Warnock noted early into the game, Alisson had to be alert from the get-go.
(THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Bryan Gil of Girona FC shoots under pressure from Andrew Robertson and Alisson Becker of Liverpool during the ...
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Alisson Becker straight back into action
Alisson has not been seen at all for Liverpool since going off during a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on October 5th.
In the meantime Caoimhin Kelleher has stepped in expertly. But Kelleher’s mistake against Newcastle last Wednesday highlighted that the Reds were ready for Alisson to return.
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Happily, the 32-year-old took up his position between the sticks for Tuesday’s match in Spain.
And after just 15 minutes or so, it was like Alisson had never been away. The Brazilian did really well to smother a low shot to keep a threatening looking Girona attack out.
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Writing for BBC Sport, Warnock hailed Alisson’s ability to stay alert.
“Girona are patient down the left and found that cross but what a second save by Alisson. He had to be alert to that,” said the pundit.
“It’s almost like that boxer who sits back and suddenly they land that one jab and realise they could do something. That had given a bit of life to the Girona players.”
Alisson called into action again
The early save was unfortunately not the last that Alisson had to make during the early part of the match in Catalonia.
Liverpool needed their goalkeeper again after Bryan Gil went through one-on-one shortly after the first save, before Alisson pawed away another fierce effort minutes later.
“Van Dijk is looking around at the Liverpool players and saying ‘what’s going on?'” Warnock commented.
“Alisson has now made three big saves already when Liverpool had been so comfortable early on.”
“Alisson’s done well,” Lucy Ward agreed on co-commentary for TNT Sports. “If he thought he was going to be eased into action, that’s certainly not been the case.” Great to have him back.
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