Liverpool informed Alisson Becker contract fact – ‘I simply cannot, for the sake of me, see why’
The save Liverpool’s Alisson Becker produced against Bournemouth on Sunday in the 1-0 win for Andoni Iraola’s side was magnificent.
The effort from Evanilson represented the home team’s sole genuine chance, you’d have to acknowledge. But it was a superb stop. The Brazilian keeper turns 34 next month. I simply cannot, for the life of me, understand why we haven’t offered him a fresh deal. I just cannot fathom it, why not?
Granted, he’s somewhat injury-prone recently, but I simply hope there’s an agreement at the season’s end rather than departing on a free transfer, the former Reds striker told the Liverpool Echo.
Alisson Becker has been one of the best goalkeepers in the world for nearly a decade(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
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Kelleher departed for £18m and that proved the bargain of the campaign. I realise we’ve got some capable keepers providing cover, but shot-stoppers can perform until an advanced age, we all recognise that.
Perhaps they’re waiting to observe his form this term. But I’ve chatted to numerous former players, and we’d all prefer to see him receive an extension.
He’s not the sole high-profile player whose deal expires, and we’ve already lost a squad at Liverpool across the previous two campaigns.
You examine some of those who might depart, and, with complete respect, they haven’t made a substantial difference – not like Alisson or Virgil. They’ve performed admirably for the club as squad players.
Now it falls to the incoming sporting director who arrives following Richard Hughes’ departure to meet with the manager. The manager must evaluate them until Christmas, and he must construct a fresh squad, a new team – we understand that – in the upcoming transfer windows.
We require two quality sides. Some of these players, you might glance at them and think “Well, they’re on the periphery right now, get by with them, utilise them in cup competitions.”
But several of them are also advancing in years. What’s available to strengthen the squad?
There’s plenty to be addressed, and the gaffer must evaluate. He’s barely arrived, he’s only just settled into the role and you cannot hurry these choices.
However, I’m confident they’ll have clarity by the January window regarding their direction – both then and next year.
Andoni Iraola was all smiles on his return to Bournemouth(Image: Matt Impey/Shutterstock)
Alexander Isak scored the goal to earn Liverpool three points at Bournemouth(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Because in the January window for me, I believe we’ll require a signing. At least one addition, perhaps two, to finish the season strongly.
And with any luck, when we reach that point, we’re still competing in all the cups and holding a solid league position for a promising run-in.
It was a solid defensive display against Bournemouth and you’d hope the back four will continue improving. Liverpool have two new crowd-pleasers.
Ronald Araujo has proven a clever acquisition. He’s at a good age, late 20s, and seasoned. He’s been about a bit. He’s demonstrating that defensively.
Ronald Araujo has had a bright start to life with Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Fair enough, going forward, because he’s more of a centre-back, he appears awkward at times, but he’s not afraid to get involved. But defensively, he’s performed excellently.
Jeremy Jacquet appears really impressive. Really impressive. I don’t want to declare him the genuine article just yet, but he seems to have adapted brilliantly with Virgil guiding him along. And Kerkez did reasonably well too.
We didn’t surrender too many opportunities. And the wisdom of Virgil and Araujo came to the fore. I just believe with Jacquet, I genuinely rate him but you simply cannot get drawn into battles with opponents. That’s his nature.
I understand because he’s featured in midfield, sometimes they’ll spot that and they’ll target him, they’ll knock it back to him and press him because he’s eager to win possession. But he’s incredibly young. A touch green, but I genuinely rate him.
Jeremy Jacquet and Virgil van Dijk have struck up a promising partnership(Image: Getty Images)
I believe he could develop into a firm fan-favourite. And the same applies to Araujo as well, due to his straightforward approach to the game. The kids are alright.
There’s untapped ability in Trey Nyoni and Lewis Koumas. I believe what stands out from a supporter’s perspective is witnessing how driven they are, how unpolished they are, but the drive.
They’re charging through a brick wall, sprinting and refusing to stop sprinting. And that’s what the manager demands from us at the front, and that’s what they delivered.
The more established players often don’t do that. They attempt to use their intelligence. But we adore that at Liverpool, and that’s why supporters are warming to the youngsters.
Andoni Iraola and Lewis Koumas(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
They’re pursuing hopeless causes and exhausting themselves completely, and you ought to be capable of that regardless. You can deploy athletes to do that but you must still possess the skill to make something happen with the ball.
We’ve always had that. That’s what I was like, you look at Rushie and Peter Beardsley. We ran and never stopped. We kept on going and closing and running and running, and that’s the least you can do.
You come off that pitch knowing that you have left everything on that pitch. And that’s what you see, the youthfulness of what the kids are doing.
They played well against Tottenham. They’ve done really well, and they’re getting their chances in the league so we’re all delighted with them.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch were handed new contracts last season but are yet to deliver consistently this campaign(Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Koumas is probably ahead of Chiesa now in the pecking order, when he comes back from injury. And Nyoni even came on ahead of Gravenberch at the weekend.
Look, Gravenberch has been struggling. Maybe it’s because of the World Cup, I don’t know, it shouldn’t be. But he’s struggled this season, like Mac Allister did last season.
Szoboszlai’s not been at his best this season either. The goal against Tottenham was a stunner, but he had no World Cup. He’s yet to hit his proper form.
Gravenberch, let’s hope he comes back refreshed after the international break because he looks like there’s a lot of weight on his shoulders.
