Anyone would agree that Alisson Becker’s time in goal for Liverpool has not been going well since his return from injury. Liverpool have been having a great time in defence this season thanks to Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk. Alisson Becker has also been a bit of a letdown.
But what the Brazilian goalkeeper did in the Champions League match yesterday has Liverpool fans a little shaken. As old saying goes, experience also comes in handy in big matches. The Brazilian goalkeeper was the hero of Liverpool’s victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of Sixteen of the Champions League.
English club Liverpool won 1-0 against PSG in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 in Paris on Wednesday night.
Of course, credit must also be given to super sub Harvey Elliott. He came on as a substitute for Mohamed Salah. He scored with his first touch of the match 47 seconds after being substituted. Liverpool managed to keep that one shot on target in the entire match. And despite turning the baton on Liverpool the entire time, the host PSG could not find a goal.
It cannot be said that Paris did not score. In the 20th minute of the match, Kavicha Kavaratskheliya sent the ball into Liverpool’s net. Although the referee later blew the whistle for offside with the help of VAR. Shortly after, PSG appealed for a penalty when Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate threw Barkola into their own box. However, the referee did not respond. Alisson blocked Kavaratskheliya’s powerful shot from outside the box in the 29th minute.
Alisson’s excellent performance continued in the second half of the match. He returned Kavaratskheliya’s great free-kicks, or the balls coming from the corners, brilliantly. He even contributed to Liverpool’s goal in the 87th minute.
Alisson’s long ball was received by Darwin Nunez in the opponent’s half. From there, the pass went to Harvey Elliott. PSG goalkeeper Donnarumma could not stop a shot from Elliott, who had come on as a substitute a minute earlier.
The win puts Liverpool slightly ahead in the race to reach the quarter-finals. The return leg will take place at Anfield next Tuesday.
