Brazilian footballer (born 1992)For other people named Alisson, see Alisson (disambiguation).

*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:55, 22 May 2022 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 29 March 2022

Alisson Ramses Becker (born 2 October 1992), commonly known as Alisson, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Premier League club Liverpool and the Brazil national team. In 2019, he was named The Best FIFA Goalkeeper and was also the recipient of the inaugural Yashin Trophy. He is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world due to his crucial saves and positioning.

Alisson began his career at Internacional, where he made over 100 appearances and won the Campeonato Gaúcho in each of his four seasons at the club. In 2016, he completed a €7.5 million transfer to Roma where he initially served as understudy to Wojciech Szczęsny before breaking into the starting line-up. In July 2018, Alisson signed for Liverpool for an initial fee of €62.5 million (£56 million), which could rise to €72 million (£66.8 million); a world record fee for a goalkeeper at the time. In his first season at the club he received the Premier League Golden Glove for most clean sheets in the league (21), and kept another clean sheet in the UEFA Champions League Final to help Liverpool win their sixth European Cup. The following season he kept a clean sheet in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup as the team won in extra time to clinch the trophy. He also played an integral part in Liverpool's 2019–20 Premier League *le-winning effort, which ended the club's 30-year league *le drought. On 16 May 2021, he also became the first goalkeeper to score a goal for Liverpool, as well as the first goalkeeper to score a matchwinner in a Premier League fixture, following a 95th minute-winning header against West Bromwich Albion.

Alisson represented Brazil at various youth levels before making his senior international debut in 2015 whereafter he represented the nation at the Copa América Centenario in 2016, the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and the 2019 and 2021 Copa América, winning the 2019 tournament while also being named its best goalkeeper.

Contents

• 1 Club career
  • 1.1 Internacional
  • 1.2 Roma
    • 1.2.1 2016–17 season
    • 1.2.2 2017–18 season
  • 1.3 Liverpool
    • 1.3.1 2018–19 season
    • 1.3.2 2019–20 season
    • 1.3.3 2020–21 season
    • 1.3.4 2021–22 season
• 2 International career
• 3 Style of play
• 4 Personal life
• 5 Career statistics
  • 5.1 Club
  • 5.2 International
• 6 Honours
• 7 See also
• 8 References
• 9 External links

Club career

Internacional

Alisson with Internacional in 2015

Born in Novo Hamburgo, Rio Grande do Sul, Alisson joined Internacional's academy in 2002, aged ten. Having progressed through the youth set up, he featured regularly with the under-23 side, before making his senior debut on 17 February 2013, starting in a 1–1 away draw against Cruzeiro-RS in the Campeonato Gaúcho championship. His Série A debut followed on 25 August 2013 when he started in a 3–3 home draw against Goiás. A backup to his brother Muriel and competing for second-choice with Agenor, he finished his first season with six appearances.

The following year, Alisson found himself competing with Brazilian legend Dida, who had joined Internacional from Grêmio. He earned a starting berth in October and finished the year with 11 league appearances to his name. He was an undisputed starter in the following year during which he am*ed 57 appearances across all compe*ions. On 4 February 2016, Alisson signed a pre-contract with Italian club Roma, signing a five-year deal for a €7.5:million fee. He played his last game for Internacional on 15 May 2016, keeping a clean sheet in a 0–0 home draw against Chapecoense. During his four years with Internacional's senior side, Alisson made over 100 appearances across all compe*ions and won the Campeonato Gaúcho *le in each season.

Roma

2016–17 season

Alisson officially completed his transfer to Italian Serie A side, Roma, in July 2016. He made his debut for the club on 17 August 2016, starting in a 1–1 UEFA Champions League draw with FC Porto, but spent the majority of the season as understudy to Polish international Wojciech Szczęsny. He ultimately made 15 appearances across all compe*ions from the season but failed to feature in any league fixtures. Szczęsny departed at the start of the following campaign for Juventus, which saw Alisson *ume the number one jersey. He later revealed that he would have considered leaving Roma had he not been guaranteed more first-team football.

2017–18 season

Alisson finally made his Serie A debut on the opening weekend of the 2017–18 Serie A campaign, starting in a 1–0 win over Atalanta. He then made his first appearance in the Derby della Capitale on 18 November, starting in a 2–1 win over local rivals Lazio. He was praised for his performances in the UEFA Champions League, and played a key role in the club's campaign in which they reached the semi-finals. The club didn't concede a single goal at the Stadio Olimpico in the Champions League, until the match against Liverpool in the semi-finals on 2 May 2018, which they won 4–2 on the night, but lost 7–6 on aggregate. Alisson received praise for his performances throughout the 2017–18 season. He kept a total of 22 clean sheets across the 2017–18 season, keeping 17 clean sheets in the league and 5 clean sheets in the UEFA Champions League.

Liverpool

On 19 July 2018, Liverpool officially confirmed the signing of Alisson for a fee of £66.8 million (€72.5 million), making him the most expensive goalkeeper of all time, surp*ing the transfers of Ederson (most expensive in pound sterling) and Gianluigi Buffon (most expensive in Euros). However, the fee was broken just four weeks later when Chelsea signed Kepa Arrizabalaga for a reported £71.6 million (€80 million) from Athletic Bilbao. On 10 August, Liverpool confirmed via their official website that he would wear the vacant number 13 shirt in the 2018–19 season.

2018–19 season

Alisson made his official debut for Liverpool on 12 August, keeping a clean sheet in a 4–0 win over West Ham United. He received praise for his subsequent performances in wins over Crystal Palace and Brighton which saw him keep three consecutive clean sheets. In August, Alisson was shortlisted for UEFA Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season, finishing in second place. On 1 September, in a 2–1 win over Leicester City, he received both praise and criticism for his performance, making several vital saves but also contributing to the opposition's goal. However, with Alisson in goal, Liverpool went on a run of 20 games unbeaten in the league from the start of the season which saw the Brazilian break Javier Mascherano's record for the longest-such streak. Alisson also played an important role in Liverpool's Champions League group stage campaign, making a vital save late on in their final group game against Napoli as Liverpool won 1–0 to advance to the knockout stages.

On 4 March 2019, he kept his 17th Premier League clean sheet for the season; the most by any Premier League goalkeeper in his debut season since former Liverpool goalkeeper, Pepe Reina in 2006. At the end of the season, Alisson kept a total of 21 clean sheets in Premier League, and won the Golden Glove. In the Champions League knockout stages, meanwhile, Alisson played a starring role as Liverpool advanced to their second consecutive final in the compe*ion; in their second-leg semi-final at home to Barcelona, he made a number of impressive saves as Liverpool overturned a 3–0 first leg deficit to advance past their opponents with a 4–0 home win. In the final on 1 June 2019, Alisson kept a clean sheet for Liverpool as they defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2–0, making eight saves in the process, to win his first trophy with the club.

2019–20 season

Alisson with Liverpool in 2019

After spending his first season with the designated squad number 13, it was announced that Alisson would be wearing the number 1 shirt for the 2019–20 season, which had previously been worn by Loris Karius.

Alisson started in the 2019 FA Community Shield against Manchester City on 4 August; after a 1–1 draw, Manchester City ultimately won the *le 5–4 on penalties. On 9 August 2019, in the opening match of the 2019–20 Premier League season against newly promoted Norwich at Anfield, Alisson picked up a calf injury in the first half, and had to be replaced by new signing Adrián after 38 minutes. He was expected to be out injured for a "few weeks". As a result, he was ruled out of the 2019 UEFA Super Cup, which Liverpool won 5–4 on penalties on 14 August, following a 2–2 draw with Chelsea after extra-time.

He returned to the matchday squad on 20 October, in a 1–1 draw with rivals Manchester United. On 30 November, in a 2–1 win over Brighton, he was sent off for handling the ball outside his designated area. On 21 December, Alisson kept a clean sheet against Flamengo in the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup Final with Liverpool winning the trophy for the first time. On 19 January 2020, Alisson *isted Mohamed Salah's 93rd-minute goal, in a 2–0 home win against Manchester United in the league.

On 6 March 2020, Alisson was injured again, meaning he missed the next day's Premier League win against Bournemouth, and the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg loss against Atletico Madrid, the final two Liverpool matches before the season was suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic in the UK. He ended the 2019–20 Premier League with a Premier League Winner's medal, having made 29 appearances.

2020–21 season

On 20 September 2020, Alisson saved a penalty in Liverpool's second league game of the 2020–21 Premier League season, a 2–0 away win over Chelsea; this was Alisson's first penalty save for Liverpool since joining the club, and Jorginho's first missed penalty in nine attempts for Chelsea in all compe*ions.

On 7 February 2021, Alisson made two errors in the space of three minutes, conceding possession to allow Manchester City's İlkay Gündoğan and Raheem Sterling to score, as Liverpool lost 4–1.

On 16 May 2021, Alisson scored a dramatic late winner in a 2–1 victory against West Bromwich Albion. With Liverpool chasing a spot in the top four and the score tied at 1–1, Alisson came up for a Liverpool corner in the 95th minute. The corner, taken by Trent Alexander-Arnold, found Alisson, who managed to score with a header. This was the first goal scored by a keeper in a compe*ive match in Liverpool's 129-year history, and Allison became the sixth goalkeeper to score in the Premier League.

2021–22 season

On 4 August 2021, prior to the beginning of the 2021–22 Premier League season, Alisson signed a new contract extension to stay with Liverpool until the summer of 2027.

International career

Alisson with Brazil at the 2018 FIFA World Cup

After representing Brazil at under-17 and under-20 levels, Alisson was called up to the main squad by manager Dunga for the first two matches of the 2018 World Cup qualification campaign against Chile and Venezuela. He made his debut against the latter on 13 October, starting in a 3–1 win at the Castelão.

On 5 May 2016, Alisson was named to Brazil's 23-man squad for the Copa América Centenario. In the team's first match, a goalless draw against Ecuador, he fumbled a Miller Bolaños shot into his own goal that was waved off because the ball had gone out of play beforehand. He conceded a total of two goals in three matches as Brazil were eliminated in the group stage.

In May 2018, Alisson was selected in the final 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He was ever-present as Brazil made it to the quarter-finals before being knocked out by Belgium.

In May 2019, he was included by manager *e in Brazil's 23-man squad for the 2019 Copa América on home soil. Throughout the tournament, he only conceded one goal in six matches, as Brazil went on to win the *le. The only match in which Alisson failed to keep a clean sheet was the 3–1 final victory against Peru on 7 July, at the Maracanã Stadium, in which he was beaten by a Paolo Guerrero penalty. Following the tournament, Alisson was honoured with the Best Goalkeeper Award for his performances.

On 13 June 2021, he started in Brazil's opening match of the 2021 Copa América on home soil, keeping a clean sheet in a 3–0 win over Venezuela.

On 15 June 2021, he was included in Brazil's 50 man preliminary squad for the 2020 Summer Olympics, though he was not included in the final squad.

Style of play

Alisson has been praised for his ability to produce crucial saves, as well as his positioning, distribution and consistency, and is rated by some in the sport as the best goalkeeper in the world. Alisson cites former Barcelona goalkeeper Víctor Valdés as an inspiration, due to his ability to play out from the back, as well as Manuel Neuer, for his 'sweeper keeper' style. Alisson is also known for his speed and timing when rushing off his line, as well as his ability to clear or challenge for the ball with his feet outside the area, or get to ground quickly to collect or parry the ball inside the box; moreover, due to his distribution, he is capable of playing the ball out from the back quickly with his hands as well as his feet, and also has the ability to launch attacks, or pick out midfielders with his long goal kicks. His skills with the ball at his feet and composure in possession have even seen him take on opponents on occasion, when put under pressure.

Despite his height (standing at 1.91:m (6:ft 3:in)), strength, size, and his large, powerful physique, he is also an agile and athletic goalkeeper. Alisson possesses good reflexes and excellent shot-stopping abilities, as well as the capacity to produce spectacular and instinctive reaction saves when necessary, which earned him the nickname O Goleiro Gato ("The Cat-like Goalkeeper," in Portuguese) in the Brazilian media, but he is predominantly known for his efficient style of goalkeeping, courtesy of his anticipation, consistency, composure, intelligence, positional sense, and goalkeeping technique, which enables him to read the game, cover the goal well, and stop shots without having to resort to histrionics. Furthermore, he also known for his handling, and is effective at dealing with high balls, which enables him to come out and claim crosses and command his area well.

His playing style has also drawn comparisons with compatriots Júlio César, Muriel Becker, and Cláudio Taffarel in the media. The moniker "The Messi of goalkeepers" has also been attached to him.

Personal life

Alisson's elder brother Muriel is also a goalkeeper and was developed at Internacional. Like Alisson, Muriel also has a traditionally feminine name. His paternal family is of German descent, with his father and grandmother speaking the language fluently. While at Roma, Alisson was nicknamed "The German." In addition to his native Portuguese, Alisson also speaks Italian and English. In May 2019, he was appointed a goodwill amb*ador by the World Health Organization.

In 2015, Alisson married Natalia Loewe, a doctor from Brazil. They have a daughter named Helena, born on 29 April 2017 and a son, Matteo, born on 14 June 2019. Their second son was born on 10 May 2021.

Becker and his wife have been WHO advocates for pro-active care of mental health.

He is a devout Pentecostal Christian, and holds baptisms in his swimming pool, hosting the baptisms of teammate Roberto Firmino and even the wife of Manchester United player Fred. He has been nicknamed "The Holy Goalie" by teammate Virgil van Dijk due to his faith, and lifted the Champions League trophy wearing a T-shirt with "† = ❤" on it.

On 24 February 2021, Alisson's father drowned in a lake near his holiday home in Lavras do Sul. Local officials believe no foul play was involved in the incident.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 22 May 2022

International

As of match played 29 March 2022

Honours

Alisson with the Golden Glove Award from the 2019 Copa América

Internacional

• Campeonato Gaúcho: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

Liverpool

• Premier League: 2019–20
• FA Cup: 2021–22
• EFL Cup: 2021–22
• UEFA Champions League: 2018–19
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2019

Brazil U23

• Toulon Tournament: 2013

Brazil

• Copa América: 2019

Individual

• The Best FIFA Goalkeeper: 2019
• FIFA FIFPro World11: 2019, 2020
• UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2017–18, 2018–19
• UEFA Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season: 2018–19
• Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year: 2017–18
• Serie A Team of the Year: 2017–18
• Premier League Golden Glove: 2018–19, 2021–22
• Globe Soccer Awards Best Goalkeeper of the Year: 2018, 2019
• Copa América Golden Glove: 2019
• Copa América Team of the Tournament: 2019
• IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper: 2019
• IFFHS Men's World Team: 2019
• Yashin Trophy: 2019
• Samba Gold: 2019
• UEFA Team of the Year: 2019
• Liverpool Goal of the Season: 2020–21 (vs. West Brom)

See also

• List of goalscoring goalkeepers

References

External links

• Internacional profile (in Portuguese)
• Alisson at Sambafoot
• Alisson at Soccerway
• Alisson at National-Football-Teams.com
• Alisson – UEFA compe*ion record (archive):