Alisson close to tears after keeping 'rare' clean sheet in Liverpool victory over Fulham

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson was close to tears after keeping a clean sheet in the Reds' 1-0 win over Fulham on Wednesday evening, according to manager Jurgen Klopp.

The Merseysiders kept their slim hopes of securing a top-four finish alive with a hard-fought victory over Marco Silva's Cottagers at Anfield with Mohamed Salah's 18th Premier League goal of the season proving to be enough for three points.

With a four-point gap between them and fourth-placed Manchester United, who also have two games in hand, it will be a miracle for Liverpool to qualify for the Champions League this term.

The Reds defence hasn't shown the quality it once boasted this campaign with Alisson conceding three or more goals in a game on seven occasions this term, a feat that used to be unheard of for the Brazilian.

The shutout left the goalkeeper particularly emotional, despite it being his 12th of the campaign, with Klopp admitting post-match that the 30-year-old was close to tears.

“Alisson was close to crying with a clean sheet," the German told Premier League Productions. "It’s pretty rare for us this season. It’s very nice, especially for him."

Despite Klopp's comments, only Manchester United's David De Gea and Newcastle United's Nick Pope have picked up more clean sheets than Alisson this term with a shutout not as rare as made out.

The Brazilian was also quizzed post-match, saying: "Really happy to keep the clean sheet. Tonight it was massive to keep the three points as well. It was a really tough game against a really good side.

"They are not getting the results in the last matches but they are playing really well, they are a proper threat to the opponent and tonight they showed that.

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"For us, we worked together as a team, we worked really good on the ball, defensively as well really good. We gave away a few opportunities to them but that’s football, there’s the quality of the opponent as well. I’m happy for tonight for the three points and the clean sheet."

Realistically, Liverpool will have to win their remaining four league matches against Brentford, Leicester City, Aston Villa and Southampton as well as hope Manchester United or Newcastle stumble if they are to have any chance of securing a Champions League place for next season.