EXCLUSIVE: Former Premier League midfielder Sandro on Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker, and why he has hopes for Brazil having a strong World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico
06:00, 04 Jun 2026
Alisson Becker before Brazil vs Panama.
Alisson Becker before Brazil vs Panama.(Image: Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Sandro was at Internacional in Brazil slightly earlier than Alisson Becker, securing a transfer move to the Premier League a few years before the goalkeeper broke into the senior ranks.
But he was well aware of the exciting young goalkeeper who was coming through the youth system. The Liverpool man played three seasons in the Brazilian top flight before moving to AS Roma, with Sandro leaving England permanently in the same summer that Alisson arrived.
This year, there have been links with a return to Serie A for Alisson with Juventus, though losing more experience from the locker room would be a blow after the departures of Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson.
And Sandro has a clear message about where Alisson should be playing next season — and indeed beyond that.
"Don't leave Liverpool! The fans respect him a lot," the former Tottenham and Brazil midfielder, speaking exclusively to Liverpool.com ahead of the World Cup via betFIRST, says.
"He created that environment where everybody loves him. He's a legend there, so stay there.
"He has what, a couple of years more? Stay and finish well. I always want to see the player that the fans love, the player that has that identity with the club.
"Stay there, man. Please don't move! Alisson is a world-class keeper — he's one of the very best."
Alisson Becker during Brazil's win over Panama at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
Alisson Becker during Brazil's win over Panama at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.(Image: Mauro PIMENTEL / AFP via Getty Images)
This summer, Alisson will hope to be Carlo Ancelotti's number one choice in goal for Brazil at the World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico, with group stage fixtures against Morocco, Haiti and Scotland coming up.
"For you to win, to go further in the World Cup, you have to have a great goalkeeper and I'm so happy and I'm so comforted that Alisson will be there and we are safe with him in goal," Sandro says.
"I saw him coming up as a player because I played with his brother, Muriel. I played with his brother and I saw Alisson coming through, because we played at Internacional, Alisson, me and his brother.
"I saw him growing up, coming up through the ranks, so it's so nice to see him doing well. Obviously being from Brazil, I just wish him well and he can help us to get through the groups.
"To speak about winning the title... it's so difficult because it's a World Cup, and it's difficult. But I think we are going to do okay, you know.
"Sometimes when your expectation is low, sometimes you can surprise people! My expectation is not too high, but I think we are okay as a team, and I'm not sure if Neymar will be fit enough to hold the pressure."
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In the season just gone, Alisson missed 26 matches for club and country through injury. Quality-wise, however, he remains one of the very best around.
"He's there. I'm not going to say that he's the single best keeper, but he's there," Sandro insists.
"We have a lot of great keepers like Gianluigi Donnarumma, Thibaut Courtois... those keepers that are also there, where I would put Alisson. But to call him the best one in the world, I think there are a few. I think he's there, as one of those.
"He has proved and he has showed that throughout his career. Top keeper for Liverpool. Everybody at Liverpool loves him; he's been there for many, many years. He showed it also in Rome.
"Now it’s just about having some good games, good first games and grow more confident through the World Cup.
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"The keeper always needs the team; he needs the back four. But I would say that Alisson is definitely at the same level of (Brazil legends like) Claudio Taffarel and Marcos for sure."