Manuel Neuer and Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson exchanged private messages after the Brazilian's match-winning goal on Sunday, the Bayern Munich keeper has revealed.
Alisson became the first goalkeeper ever to score for Liverpool when he netted a dramatic, 94th-minute header against West Brom to earn his side a vital three points in their battle for a top-four spot.
Class act Neuer quickly shared his joy for this fellow keeper on Instagram, posting an image of Alisson celebrating with the caption: "What a goal my friend".
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However the Germany No 1 told The Athletic that he also got in touch directly with Alisson to congratulate him on his "phenomenal" goal and the two had a private chat.
"I congratulated him and we exchanged a few messages," Neuer told journalist Raphael Honigstein.
"Every goalkeeper dreams of scoring the winning goal. Usually, you're behind when the goalkeeper comes up, but Liverpool had to win to qualify for the Champions League of course. Phenomenal. What an amazing header.
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"I'm so pleased for him. He's a very nice guy and easy to get along with. He deserves that moment."
Neuer, who is two appearances away from his 100th cap for Germany, is one of the best goalkeepers of his generation. However the 35-year-old, who's had 10 trophy-filled years with Bayern, is clearly a member of the goalkeepers' union judging by his warm words for his rival keeper at one of Europe's top clubs.
Alisson himself illustrated why he's widely considered such a "nice guy" with a touchingly open post-match interview, where he explained his emotional reaction to the goal was due to the sudden death of his father in February.
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"I'm too emotional, these last months, for everything that happened with me - with my family," he said on Sky Sports after Liverpool's 2-1 win.
"But football is my life. I play since I remember, as a human being, with my father. I hope he was here to see it, but I'm sure that he's seeing - with God on his side - and celebrating."
He later added: "I've been away from interviews for a long time - it was difficult, because always when I talk about it [my father passing] I get emotional.
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"But I just really want to thank all of you. All the Premier League, all the players... The supporters from the team - without you, I could never get through this. Because I'm just away from my family since this thing happened - my mother, I mean - my wife has been amazing; my kids give me energy.
"This is how we feel the love from God. This is how God loves us - through people... I just want to say thank you at this moment."
Featured image credit: PA Images
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Liverpool, Alisson, Premier League, Bayern Munich, Manuel Neuer
