Alisson is “everything a modern goalkeeper needs to be”, says Gianluigi Buffon, with a legendary figure at Paris Saint-Germain suggesting that Liverpool have landed themselves quite the player.
The Reds moved to address their issues between the sticks over the summer during a window of big spending.
Jurgen Klopp invested £65 million ($83m) in a new No. 1, with the transfer record for a goalkeeper briefly broken before Premier League rivals at Chelsea went and topped that deal when signing Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Alisson may not top that chart, but Juventus icon and World Cup winner Buffon believes the Brazilian ticks all of the boxes when it comes to the art of keeping in 2018.
The Italian, who is set to face Liverpool in Champions League competition on Wednesday, told The Mirror: “Alisson is everything a modern goalkeeper needs to be.
“Liverpool have conceded very few goals this season – and he might be a new name for those in England but for me it is no surprise.
“I have been watching him for some years now and am a big admirer.
“He is comfortable with the ball, he is an excellent shot stopper and I see that he gives confidence to his defence.
“He is one of the top three goalkeepers in the world right now and has everything to go on and be a great of his position.”
Buffon added on the qualities Alisson and his ilk boast: “When I started playing the question you asked about goalkeepers was: How good are they with their hands? Now the question is how good are they with their feet?
“There is no doubt that goalkeeping has evolved throughout my career, but for me a goalkeeper must concentrate on the fundamentals. At the same time you have to accept the role has changed and that more things are expected of the modern goalkeeper.”
Buffon has been able to mould his game down the years to meet the ever-changing demands placed on those in his position, with a veteran performer still turning out at the age of 40.
Part of the reason for that is that he is chasing European glory, with there one notable omission on his CV.
“I thought my last chance of winning the Champions League went last season... but PSG want to win the trophy this time and now I have another chance,” he added.
“This is a project at PSG and we need time, but also the ambition is to be successful this season. The dream is to win it.”