Liverpool’s thumping 4-1 win over newly-promoted Norwich City was marred with an injury to their superstar custodian Alisson Becket. The Brazilian is expected to be sidelined for several weeks and is set to miss his side’s UEFA Super Cup date with Chelsea on Wednesday.
Former West Ham goalkeeper Adrian will be taking guard between the sticks in Alisson’s absence. How will this impact the Champions League winners going into the Super Cup final?
Alisson was one of Liverpool’s best players last season, alongside Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah. He conceded just 12 goals in 13 games in Europe last season, keeping six clean-sheets in the process. In the Premier League, he kept 21 clean-sheets and conceded just 22 goals in 38 games.
The former AS Roma custodian has arguably the best defence in England ahead of him, with Virgil van Dijk leading the sturdy back-four. Joe Gomez has been solid at the back when fit and Fabinho too adds a defensive screen.
It is true that Alisson has not been tested as much as the other goal-keepers in Europe. But the 26-year-old has been flawless whenever he has been called into action. The consistency at which he has performed is indeed commendable and his absence will surely hurt Liverpool.
The Brazil international was one of the few keepers who played every game of his team’s league and European campaign last season. Liverpool have not experienced a game without Alisson for over a season now and the big change on Wednesday does pose a huge challenge.
Adrian failed to keep a clean-sheet against Norwich in the second half after Teemu Pukki scored past him.
The defence needs to step up and make the new-signing feel comfortable ahead of his first start for the Reds.
It is worth noting that Chelsea’s attack is still a work in progress and the Reds are still favourites to clinch the title. Nevertheless, Adrian’s performance will be under the spotlight, given the Spaniard will be faced with a tough task of covering for Alisson for sevreal weeks now.
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