“We are lacking” – admits Alisson Becker at Liverpool, suggests transfer change

Alisson Becker highlights the changes that have taken place at Liverpool in recent months and why there is still room for improvement.

Alisson Becker has admitted there is plenty of room for improvement in Liverpool’s recovery programme, highlighting a change in approach under Jurgen Klopp this season.

The New Reds maintained their strong start to the season with a 2-0 win over neighbors Everton on Saturday, leaving them fourth in the table, three points behind Premier League leaders Tottenham Hotspur.

Six of Liverpool’s key players who were previously on the money list under Klopp have left this summer and the Reds have splashed more than £150m on four new midfielders, three of whom will start in the gym cars this weekend.

No goalkeeper has kept more clean sheets in the Premier League this year than Alisson, but Saturday’s was only his second this season.
Liverpool have won five of their last 18 group games this season despite losing just once.
The Brazil international believes a lack of consistency is contributing to United’s goalscoring woes, despite only Tottenham, Manchester City and Arsenal scoring fewer goals in the Premier League this season.

“I think we’re on the right track, but this is just the beginning,” Alisson said.
“Time-wise, we only have three months left to start rebuilding this team and that’s a short time to say we’re at our peak.

“So I think there’s still a lot of room for improvement, but that doesn’t mean the team is bad, quite the opposite.

We’re doing really well in the game, we’re doing a really good job, but I think we haven’t been consistent yet. We have to improve to win more and we can improve defensively. Consistency means we have to play the whole game and do the right things both defensively and offensively.”

Changes in key personnel in both midfield and attack (five of the six players from the region remaining for the 2019 Champions League final) have brought freshness to Liverpool’s game, both in form and approach.

“The team has changed a lot,” added Alisson.
“When I first got here, the team was the same for the first three seasons. Not many players came, but after the first season some players started to leave.
It didn’t really affect our game, but there were several changes from last season.

“I think the way we play has changed a bit because more players have left the club and more players have joined. Now we look like a possession team.

A team that has more possession but is still able to get forward and transition quickly. “Sometimes we can play very well on the counter-attack, but we like to press high.
So we changed, but at the same time our previous strength was in the director’s ideas.
He has maintained that and will look to bring that to a rebuilding team.”

Alisson, who was one of Liverpool’s best players last season, has highlighted his value this season with a number of impressive saves, most notably in the win over Newcastle United in August.

But despite the change in tactical focus in recent months, the 31-year-old believes his core mission remains the same.

“It doesn’t change that much for me,” Alisson said in Liverpool’s official match programme.
“I always like to play, I like to have the ball. I think I will be more involved when the ball is a bit higher up the pitch, but I think I will have the same role as before.
“In football these days you have to strengthen your team.

Goalkeepers have to play and use their feet well, but the most important thing is to make saves and do what goalkeepers do – push the team forward and ask for crosses.
So I think footwork is a secondary issue rather than the most important thing for a goalkeeper.”