Liverpool beat Girona by a solitary goal, but the UEFA Champions League clash in Spain proved to be an entertaining contest.
The hosts, in particular, produced a spirited showing in front of their fans as they created a lot of chances to score despite not putting the ball in the back of the net.
Liverpool, on the other hand, weren’t anywhere close to their best but their experience came to the fore as they saw off the game after Mohamed Salah’s second-half penalty.
And a Spanish media outlet have singled out Liverpool’s best player as they made it six wins from as many European games under Arne Slot.
Alisson of Liverpool warm up prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Girona FC and Liverpool FC at Montilivi Stad...
Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images
Salah scored the solitary goal of the game from the spot after Donny van de Beek was adjudged to have fouled Luis Diaz in the box.
While the Egyptian got his name on the scoresheet and Andy Robertson was named Liverpool’s Man of the Match, Diari de Girona hailed Alisson Becker as the Reds’ best player on his return to the team.
The Brazilian earned his first start in nearly two months after recovering from a hamstring injury and made a series of top saves either side of halftime to preserve his clean sheet.
Diari de Girona wrote: “The match was decided by Salah, from a penalty, but Liverpool’s best player was goalkeeper Alisson who stopped all the clear attempts, which were not few, by the Girona players.”
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Earlier this season, Slot described Alisson as a ‘special’ player and the Brazilian showed exactly why he earned such high praise from his manager with an assured display between the sticks.
Alisson’s stats vs Girona
While Caoimhin Kelleher didn’t do too much wrong during his stint with the first team, Alisson showed exactly why he’s very much Liverpool’s number-one goalkeeper with an assured display.
He didn’t look rusty at all as he made five saves to thwart the Girona attackers.
41 touches
25/29 passes completed (86% pass completion rate)
5 saves (4 from inside the box)
2 long balls completed
1 punch
Virgil van Dijk lauded Alisson for his performance against the Spaniards and his return to the side is a huge boost for the Reds ahead of the festive run-in.
Well played, Ali!
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