The Liverpool head coach has been reacting to his team's Champions League victory over Paris St Germain and the performance of one man
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Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
Emi Martinez’s status as the best goalkeeper on the planet has not been up for debate in the last few years, indeed the Aston Villa star has two consecutive Yashin Trophies to underline his credentials.
In both 2023 and 2024 the Argentine was awarded the prize that goes to the player recognised as the best performer at the position in the world. Last year Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simon was runner up, the year before that it was Man City’s Ederson. On neither occasion was the competition close.
Martinez also has the World Cup and Copa America to emphasise his status - unless you’re Arne Slot.
The Liverpool head coach guided his team to a 1-0 first leg Champions League victory over Paris St Germain on Wednesday night, giving the Reds an important advantage going into the game at Anfield and in their quest for a quarter final berth.
However, Liverpool didn’t have it all their own way in the French capital and they needed their goalkeeper Alisson Becker to secure the result, the Brazilian made nine saves from 27 shots against a side who had not been beaten since November.
That prompted Slot to admit the Reds’ good luck and pay tribute to Allison. He said: “We’re the lucky ones, that’s clear for everyone. I think they were the much better team today, especially in the first half (when they had) three or four big, big chances.
“In the second half, they were still the better team, still had a lot of shots on target but they were mainly from outside the box.
“That’s why Alisson still had to make a lot of big saves. I have had some very good players as a manager but never the best goalkeeper in the world until now.
“He showed that he is the best in the world today. To go away with a win here was probably a bit more than we deserved.”
The debate could be settled if both Villa and Liverpool make it through to the last eight, with the domestic rivals drawn against each other if they can negotiate their ways past Club Brugge and PSG in the second legs.
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