Aaron Ramsdale has claimed that he wouldn’t try some of the things that Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has in the past.
Speaking on That Peter Crouch Podcast, the Arsenal ‘keeper spoke about his Liverpool counterpart when discussing modern goalkeeping tactics.
Remembering a situation involving Alisson from some years ago, Ramsdale said that it simply wouldn’t happen at Arsenal.
“Alisson is not as high [up the pitch as Ederson] but a few years ago Alisson chipped the ball over a striker’s head,” said the 23-year-old.
“That wouldn’t happen at all [to Ramsdale] and probably shouldn’t happen, but he’s got the confidence and belief from the coaching staff to go and do your stuff, go and play.”
The England international said that he doesn’t necessarily enjoy these traits in a goalkeeper, focussing more on mentality.
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“I don’t necessarily look at keepers in that sense, but more their mentality, dealing with mistakes and you have to look at the best in the world. For me [Manuel] Neuer doesn’t care [about mistakes].”
Remembering Alisson’s chip
The incident in question seems to be from one of Alisson’s very first games for Liverpool.
Brighton & Hove Albion visited Anfield in August 2018 in the Brazilian’s third game for The Reds since his £67m move from Roma.
With Liverpool 1-0 and 20 minutes to play, Alisson collected a slightly short back-pass from Virgil Van Dijk.
Instead of panicking with Anthony Knockaert bearing down on him, Alisson’s first touch was to dink the ball over the forward’s head.
It was a smooth piece of play but it still left Jurgen Klopp with his heart in his mouth.
“I don’t like that actually this little chip when he came out of the goal, but I’ve never had a Brazilian goalkeeper!” Klopp said via BT Sport.
Alisson not afraid to take a chance
It would be wrong to say that this has been a regular sight for Liverpool fans since then. Having said that though, Alisson has become a master of the Cruyff turn in the years in-between.
The 29-year-old does occasionally take a chance, but his calmness and quality is such that it is very rarely costly.
Alisson has made mistakes for Liverpool – which goalkeeper hasn’t. But as Ramsdale points out, mentality is the most important thing for a ‘keeper and Ali never appears to let an error linger on his conscience.
There aren’t many goalie’s around who have the quality to do what Alisson does with the ball at his feet. Ramsdale’s reluctance to try and match the Liverpool number 1 is simply yet more evidence of that.