Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has been speaking ahead of the Premier League showdown against Sunderland on Wednesday evening
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker(Image: Steven Halliwell/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Alisson Becker is adamant Liverpool are "going in the right direction" but admits they can no longer use the adaptation of new players as a reason for their underwhelming Premier League campaign. The Reds have had a difficult defence of the title they won in dominant fashion last season and now face a real fight to secure even Champions League qualification.
Sunday's demoralising 2-1 home reverse to Manchester City means Arne Slot's side have won only six out of their last 20 top-flight games and were five points adrift of the top four going into the midweek round of games.
Liverpool visit Sunderland looking for only their second league victory of the calendar year, and Alisson has called on the Reds to turn their undoubted improvement in performances into more wins with the likes of Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz now acclimatised to the English game.
“If you look to the little things of improvements, different details, I see improvement," said the goalkeeper. "I see that we are going in the right direction.
“Of course, the results, that at the end are the most important thing, are not the results that we want. We are not happy with the season we are having, but it’s a time to rebuild the team and it’s about the process.
“So, you have to respect the process, you have to respect the timing for each player to adapt.
"I think now all the players adapted to the Premier League, to the competition, to the intensity of the game and now it’s on us to increase and grow up in connection, taking the best decisions, knowing each other better on the pitch.
“But I see a lot of improvements. What we want is that those improvements at the end will will bring us better results.”
Reflecting on the defeat to City, Alisson added: "It is a big disappointment because we understand that we deserved a better result, but there are things that happen on the pitch, that’s part of football.
“We don’t have time to be disappointed, we have to work hard and try to win the next game."
After a strong start to the season following promotion, Sunderland have won only four of their last 16 Premier League games.
However, they are the only team in English football to remain unbeaten at home this season and held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at Anfield in December.
And speaking to liverpoolfc.com, Alisson said: “They were a big challenge for us as well, playing at home, so we know it’s going to be a tough game. Every Premier League game is a tough game to play.
“It’s a really intense team, physical, but technically good, tactically well-organised. They defend really well, they got good results against big clubs as well.
“So, we go there knowing that we’re going to have to work hard if we want to get the three points.”
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