Liverpool’s fortunes changed when they signed Alisson from Roma.
Pairing the Brazilian with Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the backline elevated the team from an entertaining, but often frustrating, outfit to a perennial contender in Premier League odds.
Not only a great shot stopper, Alisson’s ability to venture out of his box and sweep up behind the high line is integral.
In possession, he plays a vital role in Liverpool’s build-up play, operating as an option for his defenders and often spreading the play to the full backs.
When the opportunity arises, Alisson has a powerful, accurate throw to launch counter attacks, often releasing Liverpool’s electric forwards. His driven kicks can create chances, too.
While his primary impact is the other end of the pitch, let’s take a look at Alisson’s career goal involvements, starting with his assists…
Alisson Premier League Assists
Alisson has three Premier League assists in his career – only three goalkeepers (Paul Robinson, David Seaman, Pepe Reina) have more.
It might not be the main metric to judge the best goalkeepers in Premier League history, but Alisson has played a role in plenty of goals for Liverpool since arriving in 2018.
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1st Premier League assist: Pass to Mohamed Salah vs Manchester United, 19th January 2020
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2nd Premier League assist: Goal kick to Mohamed Salah vs Norwich City, 19th February 2022
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3rd Premier League assist: Pass to Mohamed Salah vs Manchester City, 16th October 2022
Interestingly, two of Alisson’s three Premier League assists have come against the Manchester clubs in matches which had a major impact on Premier League odds outright.
He is also the only Premier League goalkeeper to assist the same player on three occasions.
After Alisson’s first Premier League assist, Jurgen Klopp explained that it was the realisation of a long-term plan from the goalkeeper and Salah.
"This specific situation with Ali - Mo was actually at the 18-yard box around the corner so he was probably the first one on the pitch who saw the guy will be offside and he was then already on his bike.
"When Ali kicked the ball there, Mo was really in the perfect position.
"They know each other longer than we know them because they played together at Rome and from the first day since they were in, Mo is asking for these balls and Ali wants to play these balls but we don’t have a lot of times the opportunity to do so, especially with that outcome because usually the opponent is in a different protective formation."
Alisson Scores vs West Brom
Alisson became just the sixth goalkeeper to score a Premier League goal when he netted an injury-time winner against West Bromwich Albion in May 2021.
Unmarked at the near post, Trent Alexander-Arnold swung an inch-perfect corner towards Alisson, who directed the ball into the far corner of the net, sparking chaotic celebrations.
Liverpool were eighth with 10 matches to go, looking at a lost season, but Alisson’s goal was part of a run of eight wins in 10 fixtures, which saw the Reds qualify for the Champions League. Clips of the goal and celebration went viral worldwide.
Alisson was the first goalkeeper to score in a Premier League match in over seven years, and did so in significant circumstances towards the end of the campaign.
Although he rarely gives interviews, Alisson made an exception after recording a piece of Premier League history.
"I just tried to run into a good place and be there to try and help my players, to bring a defender, but no one followed me and I am lucky and blessed, sometimes things you can't explain.
"You can't explain a lot of things in my life, the only reason is God and he put his hand on my head today and I'm feeling very blessed."
Klopp was as impressed as he was stunned.
The Liverpool manager said, "It's an unbelievable header, I've never seen anything like that, good technique. I wasn't sure what I was seeing.
"We are really close and know exactly what it means to him, it's outstanding, really touching. It's only football but it means the world to us."
Alisson Assists By Season
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2013 – 0 assists
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2014 - 0 assists
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2015 - 0 assists
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2016-17 - 0 assists
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2017-18 - 0 assists
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2018-19 - 0 assists
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2019-20 – 1 assist
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2020-21 – 0 assists
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2021-22 – 1 assist
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2022-23 – 1 assist
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
