Alisson rates Adrian’s Liverpool impact so far as award-winner “nears” return
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has hailed stand-in Adrian for settling quickly at Anfield following his summer arrival.
Alisson has been out of action since suffering a calf injury on the opening day of the Premier League campaign but has revealed he is nearing a return to action.
How has Adrian performed in Alisson’s absence? Five things to know…
- Adrian has played in every game for Liverpool since replacing Alisson against Norwich City.
- The Spaniard has conceded five goals and kept one clean sheet in six Premier League games.
- He made a disastrous mistake which led to a goal in Liverpool’s 2-1 win at Southampton.
- But he was the penalty shootout hero in Liverpool’s Uefa Super Cup victory over Chelsea, saving from Tammy Abraham.
- Alisson has heaped praise on his deputy ahead of his return from injury.
Adrian, who arrived on a free transfer towards the end of the summer transfer window, after leaving West Ham, was thrown straight in at the deep end when Alisson pulled up on the first day of the new campaign.
And Alisson believes his teammate has been one of Liverpool’s stand-out players during the team’s Premier League start to the Premier League season.
“I think the boys are doing very well, all the team [and] Adrian especially,” Alisson told the club’s official website.
“He’s a special guy who came late in the season, he just came and shows everyone his value, not just as a player but as a person and that is the more important thing. He is doing very well on the pitch. I have peace to recover in a proper way so it’s better for everyone.
“You can see that [he has settled in well] on the pitch, you know a player just can play as he is playing if you are set up with the place, with the people, if you are happy here and you can see he is very happy here.
“He helped us to win a title already, he is helping us a lot in the games to win points. That is the most important thing for us in the season to achieve our goals.”
Subscribe to Squawka’s Youtube channel here.
“Two weeks ago I couldn’t even walk properly”
Alisson has been building fitness in the Liverpool gym ahead of his long-awaited return to action, but he is now finally training outdoors as he nears his first appearance since the opening weekend.
And the Brazilian, who was recently named as The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper, has revealed the seriousness of his injury stopped him from walking properly, let alone playing football.
OFFICIAL: Alisson Becker has been named The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper for 2019.#TheBest #FIFAFootballAwards pic.twitter.com/voRMSaVBTR
— Play Squawka Selector for Free (@Squawka_Live) September 23, 2019
He said: “I’m on a good way, I think we are nearly there. I can go outside to the pitch to do some goalkeeper work and I feel very well. I feel confident and I think now it’s just about getting all my power, all my confidence to come back and do what I love to do.
“It’s massive because if I look back, two weeks ago I couldn’t even walk properly. Now I’m running, jumping on my right leg that was injured so I’m really happy for that.
“It’s great. When you are a player you want to have the contact with the ball, with the guys on the pitch, the routine of training. It’s what I love to do.
“The games, the atmosphere at Anfield, the away games, all games when I watch on the TV, I just think how I want to play, I want to be there, I want to help my teammates. I’m looking forward [to being back], I can’t wait anymore!”
