Liverpool summer signing Alisson Becker believes his £65 million (€72m/$84m) transfer fee is fully justified.
The Brazil international moved from Roma to Anfield in the summer, for at the time the highest fee paid for a goalkeeper.
The fee eclipsed the £47 million (€53m/$61m) Juventus paid for Gianluigi Buffon in 2001.
Chelsea would later pay £71.6 million (€80m/$93m) for Kepa Arrizabalaga to break the record for the second time in one summer.
Alisson feels both fees are a reflection of the importance of 'keepers in the modern game and believes the new-found attention on the position is overdue
"I appreciate some people think that it’s a crazy, absurd amount of money, I understand that, but what is more important for me is the expectation that is placed on me," he told The Guardian, ahead of going head-to-head with Kepa when Chelsea host Liverpool on Saturday.
"I’m coming off the best season I’ve ever had and I’m hoping to do even better this season.
"During that period I was the most expensive goalkeeper in the world and that was quickly followed by Chelsea signing Kepa. I’m calm about it.
"There is an increasing demand of goalkeepers in world football.
"It is not just the technical qualities they need but the leadership qualities and communication skills to help out the team.
"These are all characteristics I believe I possess. Goalkeeper is a very influential position and that is becoming recognised now.
"I am really happy with the increased recognition that goalkeepers are getting now. I’m glad to be a leading part of that.”
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Liverpool have a 100 per cent record this season with Alisson between the sticks, with their only defeat this term coming in the Carabao Cup against Chelsea when Simon Mignolet deputised.
He has kept four clean sheets in seven appearances, but that run of form was marred by an error against Leicester City in a 2-1 win at the King Power Stadium.
“I am more mature today so I deal better with the mistakes than the many times when I locked myself away in my room and wanted to be alone,” he explained.
“But if you look at my professional history as a goalkeeper I’m not somebody who makes many mistakes.
"My game is characterised by consistency and that is what has brought me to Liverpool and helped me develop."
