David James shares who he now thinks is the better goalkeeper – Emi Martinez or Alisson

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Former Liverpool goalkeeper David James has shared who gets his vote for the title of ‘best ‘keeper in the world.’

Another of James’ old clubs – Aston Villa – currently employ the man who won that title at this year’s Ballon d’Or awards: Emi Martinez.

Martinez is a very good goalie, and performed heroics for Argentina during the 2022 World Cup. But speaking to the Liverpool ECHO, James suggested that he thinks Alisson Becker is a more suitable title holder.

“I am a self-confessed fanboy of Alisson,” raved the pundit. “The question often comes up of ‘who is the best goalkeeper in the world’ and I know Emi Martinez has been voted that. Yes he won the World Cup and was massively influential in that, but is he the best?

“Alisson proved last year and the ones before that without him in top form, Liverpool don’t challenge for trophies or win them.

“I am trying to think of who the best keeper before Alisson was and it seems a long time ago. Alisson is reliable, influential in every department and I can’t think of a keeper who has influenced a team or the Premier League as much as him. Petr Cech, that’s how far back you’ve got to go.”

James hands crown to Alisson

James may not have been the most popular goalkeeper Liverpool have ever had, but he certainly knows a thing or two about what it takes to make it as top-level goalie.

Having played 572 Premier League games, the 53-year-old is fifth on the all-time appearance list in the competition. During his career, he played for a number of different sides whilst also winning 53 caps for England.

In short, when it comes to ‘keepers, James knows what he’s talking about.

As a result, it’s great to hear him come out and back Alisson in this particular debate. Not that it was perhaps especially needed.

Although Martinez maybe deserved the award for what he achieved with Argentina, individually, no one can touch Alisson.

Again, in fairness to Martinez he gets closer than most. The 31-year-old is one of the reasons Aston Villa are looking like surprise Premier League title challengers this year.

But if you ask every manager, player, pundit, for their views on this matter, the majority will surely back Liverpool’s No.1. Alisson is simply the best there is at the moment.

After a brief spell out of the side with injury, the Brazilian underlined that once again on Saturday with a string of stunning stops against Crystal Palace. If Liverpool are to end up winning anything this season, they’ll have Alisson to thank no doubt. Don’t worry Jamo, we’re fanboys too.