Football News

Ederson picks his compatriot Alisson to win the FIFA Best Goalkeeper award

By Harry Edwards

Published: 10:35, 6 September 2019

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson has tipped Liverpool’s Alisson to be named as the FIFA Best Goalkeeper.

The pair went head to head in the Premier League last season with Ederson ending the campaign with a winners’ medal, as City finished a point ahead of Liverpool, to add to the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

Who will be crowned The Best Goalkeeper? Five things to know…

  • Ederson, Alisson and Marc-Andre ter Stegen have been shortlisted for FIFA’s The Best Goalkeeper award.
  • Ederson helped Manchester City win an unprecedented domestic treble, consisting of the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup .
  • Alisson was key to Liverpool winning the Champions League and Brazil’s Copa America glory.
  • Ter Stegen kept goal for Barcelona in their La Liga success, as well as pushing them to the Champions League semi-finals.
  • And Ederson believes Alisson is a level above himself and Ter Stegen, tipping him to win the award.

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Meanwhile, Alisson was an integral part of Liverpool’s defence as they challenged for the Premier League as well as winning the Champions League, before helping Brazil lift the Copa America.

For their performances both have been placed on the shortlist to be named FIFA’s The Best Goalkeeper, alongside Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen. But Ederson believes there is one clear winner.

“I think the three of us were the best, but I see Alisson one step ahead,” he told reporters.

“He was great in the Premier League, won the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and had a great Copa America as well.

“So I think whoever wins will be deserving and I’m happy for two Brazilian goalkeepers to reach this level.”

Despite being key to Liverpool qualifying for the Super Cup, Alisson played no part in the win, due to a calf injury picked up on the opening day of the Premier League season.

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Alisson’s injury will also give Ederson the chance to prove himself during the international break, with Brazil facing Colombia and Peru in friendlies – something the Man City shot-stopper is ready for.

“We all know the great period that Alisson is living. And I’m having a good time too. Of course, these are opportunities,” he added.

“As a player you must be prepared for everything. I train as if I am always playing, which makes it easier for me to be used.

“I hope to make the best of the opportunities I have here and I’ll give my best.”

Alisson’s great debut season

At the end of the 2017/18 season, Liverpool were in dire need for a new goalkeeper, after Loris Karius’ mistakes played a big part in their Champions League final heartbreak.

Wasting little time, the Reds brought in Alisson from Roma for £67m – a then-world record for a goalkeeper. And after just one season, it is already looking like fantastic business.

Thrown straight in as no.1, Alisson kept 21 clean sheets in 38 appearances – more than any other player in the Premier League, conceding just 22 goals with Liverpool boasting the best defence in the division.

The Brazilian faced 96 shots on target throughout the season, saving 76 of those for a staggering save percentage of 77.08% – better than any goalkeeper to have played more than five matches.

Then there’s the Champions League, in which Alisson kept six clean sheets in 13 games and saved 78.95% of the shots on target he faced.