Andy Robertson pays tribute to Alisson Becker ahead of Scotland's clash with Brazil at the World Cup
Andy Robertson and Alisson Becker performed well against AC Milan
Andy Robertson and Alisson Becker performed well against AC Milan(Image: Getty Images)
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Andy Robertson has paid tribute to former Liverpool team-mate Alisson Becker, describing the goalkeeper as the "best in the world" ahead of Scotland's crucial World Cup clash with Brazil.
Robertson will lead the Scots out as captain against Brazil, with Reds No.1 Alisson expected to start for Carlo Ancelotti's Selecao in Miami.
Scotland need a draw against the five-time world champions to be sure of progression to the knockout stages in Group C and Robertson, who will join Tottenham Hotspur as a free agent this summer, was fulsome in his praise of now ex-colleague Alisson, who he played alongside for eight years at Anfield.
"I was very lucky to play with Ali for the last eight years and in big moments Ali was always there for us," Robertson said.
"Even when our defence was at its best sometimes teams would get through and we would always rely on Ali to go and make the saves.
"He's an unbelievable goalkeeper, an even better person. Someone that I admire so much, he and his family, I’m really lucky to be close to them and they’re fantastic people.
"I hope he’s picking the ball out of the net maybe a couple of times tomorrow, more usual than I’m used to, but he’s the best keeper in the world for me and he has been for so many years.
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“I can’t speak highly enough of him as a player and a person. But like I said, hopefully tomorrow he doesn’t keep a clean sheet."
Robertson added: “I’d like to think the (Brazil) squad respects me, but I’m not sure how much they respect my shooting.
“I don’t think they’ll take any advice off me on how to beat Alisson.
“I’ve trained with him for eight years and I can count on one hand how many I’ve scored against him in training.
“I’ve certainly not cracked it yet! But when our strikers come to shoot, hopefully they can get the better of him. When a chance comes, hopefully we can take it.
“We’re coming up against the best keeper in the world. But we have to believe we can score against Brazil.
“If we don’t, there’s no point showing up. That’s our aim. If we can do that hopefully it can be a big night for our country.
“But we know how difficult the task is and the team we’re playing against. They have world-class individual quality in every position.”
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