Alisson Becker during the match between Girona FC and Liverpool FC
Arne Slot has lavished praise on the returning Alisson Becker as he fumed about his side's performance in a narrow Champions League win over Girona.
Alisson started for the first time since early October at the Estadi Montilivi and kept a clean sheet. The Brazilian was forced into five saves by the La Liga side and stood up to his task well.
Liverpool boss Slot has maintained that Alisson has remained the club's No.1 despite the impressive performances of Caoimhin Kelleher during his absence. Now, the Dutchman simply wants his first choice to stay fit.
Liverpool have carefully managed Alisson's return with the 32-year-old returning to training last month but only now being chosen to start in goal. Slot's first choice has been made firmly clear.
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The Dutchman said: "I said as a joke the players wanted to see how fit he really was to give him so much work. He showed again today why I said so many times he is our first goalkeeper, nothing to do with Caoimh [Kelleher] he did so well.
“Alisson has been so important for so many years and showed why he is in my opinion one of the best or the best in the world. And let's hope he can keep continuing to bring these performances. Let's hope even more that he can stay fit."
Slot was disappointed that Darwin Nunez was unable to land himself on the scoresheet. The Reds striker has scored just three goals in 19 appearances this term and Liverpool's coach admitted he kept his forward on the pitch in the hopes of turning his fortunes around.
Bryan Gil of Girona FC shoots under pressure from Andrew Robertson and Alisson Becker ( Image: Liverpool FC)
"What I can agree on is that he missed a few chances," said Slot. "Then it's always the question: does this have anything to do with low confidence or is this a situation where he's in at the moment?
"I think every striker all around the world has periods where every ball goes in, and sometimes he has a period where you try so hard but you're not able to score. The good thing is that we have many players that can score for us – today Mo again.
"I would have loved to see Darwin score because I think every striker wants to score [and] needs goals – that's why I kept him in for quite a long time. He was a threat but unfortunately he couldn't score.
"Yes, Alisson made a lot of saves, but I think if you make highlights of this game we will all see a few chances that we had as well, which is normal. What is not normal is that we concede so many chances."
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