Alisson is set to replace misfiring teammate Sadio Mane in attack for Liverpool’s crucial game with Burnley tonight.
The prolific Brazilian is in fine form having netted a 95th-minute winner in the Red’s last outing at West Brom. Conversely, Mane’s ability in front of goal has receded worse than his hairline.
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With Liverpool needing 3 points to help paper over the worst title defence since Yokozuna lost in 22 seconds to Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania IX, Jurgen Klopp has given free-scoring Alisson the nod.
‘You could argue it was the greatest goal of Alisson’s career’, Klopp told Paddy Power News.
‘All the boys were congratulating him in the changing room after the game – except for Sadio. He sat in the corner with his arms folded’.
Brazil’s goalkeeper Alisson leaves his team’s hotel in Kazan on July 7, 2018, a day after the five-time champions crashed out of the Russia 2018 World Cup football tournament after a 2-1 quarter-final defeat to Belgium. (Photo by Benjamin CREMEL / AFP) (Photo credit should read BENJAMIN CREMEL/AFP/Getty Images)
The former Borussia Dortmund boss said Alisson’s impressive stats in front of goal make it virtually impossible to leave him out of his attack.
‘My sports science team tell me he has a 100% shots-to-goal ratio this season which is really cool’.
‘Most days he stays behind in training to help the likes of Bobby and Divock with their finishing’.
It marks a turnaround in fortunes for the 28-year-old former Internacional and Roma star whose season was almost ended by a career-threatening case of cold feet in February.
‘If Alisson hadn’t got those Totes Toasties in the secret Santa I dread to think what might’ve happened to his poor little toes’, said the German.
But while things have gone from strength to strength for Alisson in recent months, the same cannot be said for his Senegalese non-strike partner.
‘Things have gotten so bad for him this season we heard Timo Werner has started telling Sadio Mane jokes’, revealed Klopp.
‘It’s a goal drought which stretches back as far as his fringe’, added the 53-year-old.
Meanwhile, Burnley boss Sean Dyche has confirmed he will offer Klopp a ‘square-go’ in the tunnel at half-time ‘for old time’s sake’.
‘Bring yer dinner, coz yer gonna need it’, growled the 49-year-old at his pre-match press conference.
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