Liverpool came away from Tuesday’s Champions League game against Girona with another three points.
The Reds were far from their best during a tricky encounter against the Spanish side, but a Mohamed Salah penalty ensured their perfect record in Europe remains.
Amid a slightly rocky performance, though, the main positive of the night was the sight of Alisson Becker returning after almost nine weeks away.
The team have coped fine without Alisson, but the 32-year-old is still clearly the best goalkeeper in the Liverpool squad.
And it didn’t take him long to show that on Tuesday. Alisson made a string of fine saves to keep the score at 0-0 in the first-half in particular.
Looking back on his first appearance since October after the game, the Brazilian was keen to single out one unseen member of the Liverpool coaching staff who helped him hugely to get back on the pitch.
Alisson Becker of Liverpool FC celebrates his team's first goal scored by Mohamed Salah (not in picture) during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 L...
Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images
Alisson Becker thanks Lee Nobes
Alisson is still up there with the very best goalkeepers in the world. Liverpool fans will be desperately hoping he can stay fit between now and the end of the season.
It should of course be mentioned that in his absence Caoimhin Kelleher stepped up enormously and would no doubt do so again if needed to.
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However, this Liverpool team is somehow not quite the same without Alisson in it. And according to the man himself, head of rehab physiotherapy Lee Nobes is the person who should take a lot of the credit for Liverpool’s No.1 resuming his duties.
“Great to be back, honestly, I was looking forward to this moment for nine weeks, working so hard like you cannot believe,” Alisson told LFCTV.
READ MORE: What Alisson Becker was spotted doing to the Liverpool fans after beating Girona
“But every moment, every session, every training was worth it to go back on the pitch, deliver a good performance to help the team with the points, with a clean sheet. Having this feeling is so good, so good.
“When you are away for so long you are just grateful for everything you have done and for the people who worked by my side.
“The physio staff, the department, mainly Lee Nobes, the doctor, all the boys they were fantastic. My personal staff as well, my family, all the people who worked together with me I’m so glad to have them on my side.”
Alisson equals Pepe Reina record
Alisson had a lot of work to do to ensure he kept a clean sheet on his return to action.
However, having been equal to everything Girona threw at him, the Brazil international came away from the game having matched a Liverpool record.
Alisson’s shutout put him joint top of the clean sheet record in Liverpool’s history in the Champions League.
As per Squawka on X, Alisson is now tied with Pepe Reina on 21 clean sheets for the Reds during the Champions League era.
Impressively, Reina actually did it in fewer matches than the current No.1 While Alisson took 49 games to achieve the record, the Spaniard did it in 46.
Alisson will have the chance to go clear at the top on his 50th appearance when Liverpool take on Lille at Anfield on January the 21st.
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