Ex-Liverpool star Andy Robertson delivers a clear ‘warning’ about Alisson Becker as Juventus step up transfer interest in the Anfield shot-stopper.
As I look ahead to Scotland’s defining hour on the World Cup stage as they face Brazil, the narrative surrounding captain and former Liverpool vice captain Andy Robertson and Brazil’s Alisson Becker hits with an entirely different weight.
For eight spectacular, trophy-laden years, these two were the symbol of Liverpool’s defensive steel under former manager Jurgen Klopp. Now, they find themselves squaring off at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami for a high-stakes Group C finale tonight.
But this isn’t just a standard reunion of old friends. The context has shifted dramatically on Merseyside. Robertson has officially called time on his glittering, nine-year Anfield career, completing a free transfer to Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham Hotspur.
Meanwhile, Alisson found himself at the centre of intense summer speculation, with Juventus heavily linked to the Brazilian shot-stopper, even as Liverpool trigger contract options to keep their number one in place.
Amidst personal career overhauls, Robertson is closing in on his 97th international cap, chasing down Kenny Dalglish’s all-time record.
Yet, as he prepares to lead his country out against Carlo Ancelotti’s Seleção on Wednesday night, he admits he cannot give Lawrence Shankland or any of Scotland’s strikers a single piece of advice on how to beat his long-time teammate.
Ahead of the fixture tonight speaking at the pre-match press conference on Tuesday in Miami, Robertson was quick to play down his own inside knowledge, using his trademark wit to highlight just how impossible Alisson is to beat even when the camera’s aren’t rolling.
“I’d like to think the squad respect me but I’m not sure how much they respect my shooting so much,” Robertson joked.
“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
Despite knowing the colossal nature of the task against the five-time world champions, Robertson insisted Scotland aren’t just there to make up the numbers.
The recent form of both nations reveals just how tight the margins are heading into this final group fixture. Scotland began their campaign with a crucial 1-0 victory over Haiti as Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn solo goal put them in a strong position early on, before falling to a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Morocco.
“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.”
The bond between the pair remains entirely unaffected by Robertson’s recent Anfield exit. Reflecting on their shared history on Merseyside, the left-back painted a vivid picture of what Alisson has consistently brought to the table, validating why elite European clubs like Juventus remain desperate to secure his services.
“I’ve been very lucky to play with Ali for the last eight years,” the Scotland captain said. “In big moments, Ali was always there for us. Even when our defence was not at its best, sometimes teams would get through, but we could always rely on Ali to go and make the saves.
He’s an unbelievable goalkeeper and even better person. He’s someone I admire so much, him and his family. I’m lucky to be close to them because they’re fantastic people.”
Sentiment however will be completely out of their mind when the whistle blows in Florida.
“I really hope he’s picking the ball out of his net maybe a couple of times on Wednesday—more than I’m used to!”
The math for Steve Clarke’s men remains straightforward: a single point on Wednesday night guarantees them a place in the round of 32. Brazil, meanwhile, must push for a victory to ensure they pip Morocco to the top spot.
Live4Liverpool Verdict
From a Liverpool perspective, watching this battle unfold is incredibly poignant. Seeing Robertson in a context where he is no longer technically a Liverpool player having just sealed his move to Spurs marks the true end of an iconic Anfield partnership.
Robertson is entirely correct: Alisson remains the absolute gold standard of world goalkeeping. The frantic speculation linking him to Juventus only proves that the rest of Europe recognises he hasn’t dropped an inch in quality.
For Scotland to advance, they have to do what Robertson rarely could do at the AXA Training Centre: find a flaw in the impenetrable Brazilian. It promises to be a bittersweet but utterly captivating watch for Liverpool supporters and both nation supporters.