Liverpool looked much improved for large periods of their Champions League meeting with Marseille.
The Reds were 12 games unbeaten prior to kick-off in France, but performances have been the main issue this season.
In a bid to turn the tide and get fans back on side, Arne Slot opted to bring Mohamed Salah straight back into the eleven and change his system for the away meeting.
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To the manager’s credit, Liverpool were the better side in the first half and eventually opened the scoring via a clever free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai.
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Olympique Marseille v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League
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But while Szoboszlai will draw the headlines for his impressive effort, Joe Hart has been quick to praise another player.
Joe Hart praises Alisson vs Marseille
Marseille had their moments early on, with Mason Greenwood in particular causing problems from the right.
However, Alisson was able to keep Roberto De Zerbi’s men out in the first half, which saw him singled out by Hart during the clash.
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The former England number one covered the game as a pundit for TNT Sports alongside Steven Gerrard.
During their half-time chat, Hart said: “When Marseille did [attack], Alisson came out with a big save. You’ve got to do that in away games, especially in the Champions League. But he proved his worth.
The Brazilian has been a mainstay in the Reds’ defence for many years now and has been crucial to their recent success under Jurgen Klopp and Slot.
Joe Hart during Nottingham Forest v Manchester City - Premier League
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Alisson could leave Liverpool
However, it was suggested by one journalist earlier this week that Alisson could leave Liverpool in 2026.
David Lynch said: “I think that [triggering a contract extension] could just be a protection to make sure they get the best fee. I don’t know, I just have this feeling around Alisson and have for a while that this might be his last season to be honest.
“You weigh in the fact that there’s been interest in him the last couple of summers, he has had real opportunities to perhaps leave. Age, where he’s up to now, the fact that they bought Mamardashvili so clearly with the idea of him being the number one eventually. It just feels like one to really, really keep an eye on coming into the summer.”
Liverpool, of course, already have a ready-made replacement in Giorgi Mamardashvili, who arrived in 2024.
But Alisson is still showing that he can be a crucial player for the Merseyside outfit after all these years.
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