Liverpool have been told that Alisson “will make mistakes” and that it is too early to “get carried” away by title talk, with Robbie Fowler calling for calm at Anfield.
Expectation levels on the red half of Merseyside have risen on the back of another summer of big spending by Jurgen Klopp.
The German has been backed with another £175 million ($229m) after breaking the club’s transfer record to land Virgil van Dijk for £75m ($98m) in January.
Brazil international Alisson is among those to have arrived during the current window, becoming the world’s most expensive goalkeeper in the process, but Fowler is not buying into the belief that a Premier League novice can be considered the final piece of the jigsaw.
The former Reds striker told the Daily Mirror: “Alisson is undoubtedly a world class player, but the Premier League is tough.
“There will be times when he will make mistakes.
“David De Gea took time to settle at Manchester United before becoming recognised as a great goalkeeper.
“Alisson’s signing was urgently needed. Liverpool have stood by [Loris] Karius over the summer and pre-season, but the new campaign was always going to be brutal for the German. He would have got huge stick and that not only places extra pressure on him, but on the whole club.
“So to go out and spend big on a star keeper is great for everyone connected with Anfield, the fans included.”
GettyFowler added in a message for those fans already daring to dream of a first top-flight crown since 1990: “Like everyone at Liverpool, I’m excited at the club paying out a world-record fee for a goalkeeper – but let’s not get carried away believing the long wait to win the title is over.
“Yes, Alisson is world class. It’s a strong statement of intent and Reds fans are buzzing. But Manchester City are still the team to catch.
“I’m thrilled at Liverpool’s spending during the summer, bringing in Alisson, Fabinho, and Naby Keita.
“But City finished 25 points clear of Liverpool when they won the Premier League title in May. It would take a huge swing to turn that round.
“So I don’t think anyone associated with Liverpool can come out and say: ‘Yes, we’re going to win the Premier League’ with any great confidence.
“I believe they will put more pressure on City, but Liverpool are still playing catch-up. It’s the same for every other team in the Premier League.”
Liverpool are currently in America on International Champions Cup duty, but are due to open the new Premier League season at home to West Ham on August 12.