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Alisson On Ballon d'Or Chances, Liverpool’s Premier League Title Challenge And Names His Best Save

Alisson On Ballon d'Or Chances, Liverpool’s Premier League Title Challenge And Names His Best Save

Liverpool shot-stopper Alisson has said that it is "even more difficult for a goalkeeper" to win the Ballon d’Or compared to other players.

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

Alisson has openly admitted that it would be difficult to capture the Ballon d'Or, but he remains optimistic about Liverpool's hopes of challenging for the Premier League title.

The Brazilian shot-stopper, 26, had a blistering debut season for the Reds as he took home the Premier League Golden Glove and was named the Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season.

The Liverpool star has previously ruled out the possibility of challenging for this year's Ballon d'Or.

When he was recently asked if he was hopeful of competing for France Football's coveted prize, he told Spanish newspaper Marca: "I have read some news and I am proud, but I know it is not easy. It is even more difficult for a goalkeeper.

"But I also have a clear conscience. This means that I am doing my job well and people value it."

According to the former Roma shot-stopper, fans' perceptions towards goalkeepers are slowly beginning to shift in the right direction.

He explained: "The difference is that the goalkeeper does not score goals. We stop them [laughs].

PA
PA

"People like to celebrate goals. It is the most important moment in football. And I think that's why the strikers stand out a little more.

"It's a natural thing, but little by little things are changing."

Liverpool finished second in a heated Premier League title race against Manchester City last season.

While Alisson didn't mention City by name, he refused to rule out the stiff competition out there in the title race this season.

"We are going to fight for all the titles, but there are other very strong teams who also have the same goals as Liverpool," he admitted.

PA
PA

"There is much to aspire to; both with Liverpool and Brazil.

"We have several collective goals and I also have individual goals.

"I still have a lot to achieve and hopefully this season is as good as the last."

When it came to the best save in his career, Alisson couldn't overlook his world-class save to deny Arkadiusz Milik an equaliser deep into stoppage time in Liverpool's Champions League clash with Napoli.

"It is difficult to choose one moment, but I think the most important for me was against Napoli at Anfield, against Milik, in the final minutes of the last phase of the Champions League groups," he said.

Alisson has not featured for Liverpool since he picked up a calf injury against Norwich City in the Reds' opening Premier League clash last month.

Jurgen Klopp revealed ahead of the Burnley match last Friday that it could "still take time" before Alisson returns from injury.

The Liverpool boss continued: "How it always is with professional sportsmen, when you have a muscle thing and it takes long, then it takes a while as well until you can bring the muscle to at least the same level it was before.

"A calf muscle is pretty important for jumping -- and for a goalie, it is quite important that you can jump from time to time, so it will take time.

PA

"But, thank God -- and hopefully it stays like this -- we have a fit Adrian in the back and now in charge, which is good. So far, I am really happy with everything I saw.

"He is a good guy, which is important as well, but most importantly of course he can catch balls and that's good as well.

"The solution we found for it is really good, but of course it would be better if Ali was around but that will take still some time."

Should Alisson win the Ballon d'Or?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Anfield, Alisson, Football, REds, Premier League, Alisson Becker, Champions League, Ballon d’Or