Liverpool legend Alisson Becker admits to delaying his injury return to prioritise Brazil’s World Cup run.
Supporters generally consider Alisson Becker one of the two best goalkeepers to have ever played for Liverpool. Fans love him, and many argue he has held the title of the world’s best for a number of years. However, his latest comments may upset some Liverpool fans.
The 33-year-old joined the Reds from AS Roma in July 2018 for £66.8m and has gone on to win every major trophy on offer to him at Liverpool, making 333 appearances to date and firmly establishing himself as a club legend.
But he has not been without his injury problems. Alisson suffered multiple hamstring problems this season, culminating in him missing seven of the Reds last eight Premier League matches, with back-up goalkeepers Giorgi Mamardashvili and Freddie Woodman forced to deputise for him.
Alisson only played one match for Liverpool in the last two months of the season the final Premier League game of the campaign at home in a 1-1 draw to Brentford.
He has now explained, though, that some of those absences were with the approaching World Cup in mind.
It now appears that a period of his absence was a strategic move to ensure inclusion in Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the World Cup in Mexico, USA, and Canada.
The talks over a transfer came during the period when he was out injured for the Reds. After flirting with a move to Juventus towards the end of the season, he thankfully decided to stay at Liverpool.
At the same time, there was some confusion over Alisson‘s fitness status. He wasn’t playing for Liverpool, but Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said in the final days of the season that the ‘keeper had been “training for two weeks.”
Alisson is now 33 years old and while he is certainly still one of the best goalkeepers on the planet, his injuries have had a noticeable impact on his kicking.
The goalkeeper admitted that his extended spell on the sidelines at the end of the season was a calculated move to ensure he was fully fit for this summer’s World Cup in North America.
He told Estadão (via Sport Witness): “I’m 100%. Missing games for Liverpool was part of the plan to make sure I was ready for the World Cup.”
He added: “Everyone knows I spent a period out before the World Cup, but also very much because of arriving at the World Cup 100%. I said before: the important thing is how we arrive at the World Cup.”
Had Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League a high-stakes race that concluded only on the final day of the Premier League season fans would react vastly differently to this news. Alisson highly likely would not have made this admission publicly if his absence had caused a top-four calamity for the club.
The default reaction from the Anfield faithful may understandably be one of frustration and annoyance. To many, it will look as though the club’s number one prioritised international glory over a crucial Premier League run-in.
However with Alisson turning 34 this October, this summer’s tournament likely represents his final opportunity to represent Brazil on the world stage. Given the circumstances, it is entirely understandable why he went all-out to guarantee his participation in North America.
Making history with Seleção against Morocco
Alisson‘s presence as No. 1 for his country means he will equal the tally of Gilmar dos Santos Neves and ex-Liverpool coach Claudio Taffarel, who were first-choice for Brazil at three World Cups.
As he prepares to take to the field for his country tonight against Morocco, Alisson will ultimately feel vindicated by his decision to miss the final two months of the season for Liverpool until the Brentford match last month.
The highly anticipated Group C opening match is scheduled to take place at the MetLife Stadium (New York New Jersey Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey. For fans watching in the United Kingdom, the match will kick off tonight at 11:00 PM BST.
Looking ahead to Anfield future
Despite the controversy surrounding his delayed return, Alisson proved exactly how vital he remains to the Reds with an incredible, match-winning save against Brentford last month.
As attention turns to the domestic calendar, the hope is that the Brazilian can entirely avoid the treatment room for the 2026/27 campaign. As things stand, the upcoming season is set to be his final one at Anfield, unless a contract extension is agreed upon over the next 12 months.
