Ian Doyle with the main talking point from Liverpool's Premier League clash at Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 8: Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson celebrates victory during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park on November 8, 2026 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Alisson Becker celebrates Liverpool's victory at Crystal Palace (Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
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As they saluted the approaching Liverpool players, the travelling Kop knew exactly who to single out.
And small wonder one corner of Selhurst Park reverberated with the strains of “Alisson, Alisson” following a hard-earned victory that owed much to the excellence of the Brazil international.
After such a glittering Anfield career, Alisson this week endured the rare experience of having his form put under the microscope after unconvincing performances in consecutive defeats to Arsenal and Fenerbahce.
While no question he remains first-choice between the sticks for Liverpool, it was a reminder that, now aged 34 and in the last year of his current contract, the keeper is very much nearer the end than the beginning of his time with the Reds.
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Alisson, though, is no busted flush quite yet. And it was his heroics that gave Andoni Iraola’s stuttering side the opportunity to ultimately deepen the gloom for rock-bottom Crystal Palace and ensure Liverpool head into the international break ensconced in the top four of the Premier League.
If one of the many games that highlighted why few are better at doing the simple things consistently well as the Brazilian, it also showcased his celebrated ability as a shot-stopper.
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He produced a superb save to repel Daichi Kamada’s far-post volley in the first half and followed that shortly afterwards with an alert stop when quickly repositioning himself as Adam Wharton got a touch on the end of Yeremy Pino’s inswinging left-wing cross.
But better was come in the second half when, with the Liverpool defence cut open, he smothered a Pino effort before stopping Palace’s follow-up attempt. There remains no keeper in the world better at one-on-one situations.
And it says much about the standards Alisson still demands that he was livid at his clean sheet being yanked from his safe hands by substitute Eddie Nketiah’s contentious late spot-kick.
Liverpool's Brazilian goalkeeper #01 Alisson Becker (C) reacts after Crystal Palace's English striker #09 Eddie Nketiah (R) scored on a penalty kick in extra time during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park in south London on November 8, 2026. (Photo by Henry Nicholls / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Alisson Becker reacts after Eddie Nketiah converts his penalty for Crystal Palace against Liverpool (Image: Henry Nicholls / AFP via Getty Images)
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In this fixture last season, Nketiah had stepped off the bench to score an injury-time winner at the same end to send Liverpool spiralling into a decline they ultimately failed to address under Arne Slot.
This time, though, the Palace striker’s effort was mere consolation. And that was primarily down to Alisson.