Alisson Becker could be in his final year at Liverpool as his contract expires at the end of the current season, but one former Red still feels he has plenty to offer
Alisson is in the final year of his contract at Liverpool
Alisson is in the final year of his contract at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool has been told Alisson Becker could play into his 40s as the club has been urged to "squeeze" out all it can from the goalkeeper.
Alisson is in the final year of his contract at Anfield after an option was triggered to add another 12 months onto his original deal. Despite having his future with the Reds extended though, the summer was inundated with speculation over a potential exit.
The 33-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Juventus, although a move to Italy ultimately didn’t materialize. Alisson has retained his position as Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper under new head coach Andoni Iraola, despite the arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili last year.
Many anticipate that this could be Alisson’s final season at Anfield though. There have been signs that Liverpool is already preparing his long-term replacement, having completed the signing of 18-year-old goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans from Genk during the summer, while 21-year-old Armin Pecsi is spending the season on loan at Austrian club TSV Hartberg.
And while Alisson remains one of the world’s top keepers, his injury record in recent years has raised a number of questions about his longevity. Former Reds and USMNT star Brad Friedel though believes he could still have a big part to play for years to come on Merseyside.
“Alisson is still the main guy, and everyone ages out eventually, but he's not aging out yet,” Friedel told Jackpot City Casino.
Brad Friedel
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Brad Friedel believes Alisson could play into his 40s(Image: Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“As a goalkeeper, you continually assess performance season by season. Van der Sar played into his 40s, David Seaman and Peter Schmeichel played well into their late 30s and 40s, and Buffon did as well.
“In December they’ll think about January and as long as he's still at the levels and then they'll assess again. If you stay free of major injuries and stay mentally sharp. Alisson has the top-level mentality where mistakes don't rattle him.
“You squeeze every last bit of brilliance out of him for as long as possible, because finding another Alisson is extremely difficult and expensive.
“I've loved watching the guy over the years. I think he's been magnificent and I still think he's magnificent.”
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Friedel’s comments come after Alisson was left out of Brazil’s squad for the upcoming international break, with the five-time world champions set to face Australia and India. Carlo Ancelotti though insists the door is not closed on the Liverpool goalkeeper as he takes a closer look at the next generation of players.
"We are motivated by the fact that we have time to prepare for a new cycle and get ready for the upcoming competitions," he said. "That doesn't mean the others are excluded.
"We know Alisson very well, and when the competitions - like the Copa America - come, if he remains being the best goalkeeper in Brazil, Alisson will play. Right now, however, we have to prioritize the younger ones.”