Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk says it would be a “big blow” for the Reds if they lose Alisson this summer, amid doubts over his future at Anfield.
The Brazilian has been one of the best goalkeepers of his generation, proving to be a colossus figure for Liverpool over the past eight years.
Injuries have plagued Alisson this season, however, and with only one year remaining on his current Reds deal, he has been strongly linked with a summer move to Juventus.
In quotes shared on X by The Athletic’s James Pearce, Van Dijk opened up about his friend and teammate’s future, not exactly talking up the idea of him staying:
“We have been through everything together, positive things and some negative things unfortunately as well, so it would definitely be a big blow and a miss but I don’t think, for me, it’s a good idea to think ahead about what could or could not happen.
“He’s very important for me as one of the leaders in the team and he is very important on the pitch because he is in my opinion the best goalkeeper in the world.
“He’s trying to be back as soon as possible to help us for the last four games and that’s our main focus. Whatever happens after that is not something you should ask me. Would I love him to stay? Of course, there’s no doubt about that.”
Can Liverpool afford to lose 3 legends in the same summer?
Alisson remains one of the best in the world in his position, so to see him exit Liverpool would be clearly be a massive setback, even if he isn’t quite at the absolute peak of his powers now.
The Reds would not only be losing a special talent – Jurgen Klopp once called him “world-class” – but also a huge presence in the dressing room at the same time as Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson are leaving.
To see three Liverpool legends all depart at the same time would leave a gaping void, so hopefully, Alisson stays put for at least one more year.
If not, Giorgi Mamardashvili will need to go up a level, having had a solid first season at Anfield, but not exactly showing he is the perfect Alisson replacement.