Liverpool legend Michael Owen believes goalkeeper Alisson Becker proved he is ‘the best in the world’ against Crystal Palace after a brilliant save to stop Jefferson Lerma.
The 31-year-old left Owen in awe when he stopped Lerma from breaking the deadlock in the 27th minute on Saturday. Crystal Palace had Liverpool at their mercy when Jordan Ayew put the ball on a plate for Lerma to shoot. But Alisson had other ideas when he flung into action.
Ayew burst forward into acres of space whilst Konstantinos Tsimikas charged back to try and prevent a cross. Virgil van Dijk also made no attempt to close the 32-year-old down. He kept a clear line to guard the front of the box, yet could not intercept a ball aimed straight at him.
Alisson Becker came to Liverpool’s rescue to deny Crystal Palace’s Jefferson Lerma
Ayew’s pass was aimed for Odsonne Edouard after the forward ran in front of Jarell Quansah to get goal-side. But it carried on through to Lerma, who Wataru Endo failed to pick up while Trent Alexander-Arnold meandered back. Selhurst Park also shot to their feet in anticipation.
Yet Alisson was not ready to be beaten and produced a top-draw save to direct Lerma’s shot onto the post. He only had a split second to react to the midfielder’s shot after Ayew’s cross passed through the Reds’ box. But he got enough on the ball to take all of the pace out of it.
Michael Owen hails Alisson Becker as ‘the best’ goalkeeper in the world
Luckily for Alisson, the Brazilian’s hard work was not in vain as Alexander-Arnold followed in and cleared Lerma’s shot. Crystal Palace’s attack then petered out as Liverpool cleared their lines. It also proved to be the Eagles’ only attempt on Alisson’s net throughout the first half.
Alisson’s rapid reactions to deny Lerma and Crystal Palace also astounded Owen, who hailed the Liverpool ace as the best goalkeeper in the world. The 63-cap Selecao star headed for Selhurst Park with four clean sheets across 13 Premier League appearances this season, too.
“This is why Alisson is, in my opinion, the best in the world,” Owen exclaimed while speaking to Premier League Productions (9/12, 13:39). “Yes, he gets some help from the post. But it is a world-class save – pure world-class – and Alisson is brilliant.”
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