Alisson Becker on Reds return, Copa America and new season aims
Alisson Becker returned to work with Liverpool on Monday already contemplating how an outstanding 2018-19 campaign can be bettered this time around.
The goalkeeper ended his maiden term with the Reds by winning the Champions League and collecting the Premier League’s Golden Glove accolade. In addition, he also helped his native Brazil to glory in the Copa America by marshalling the competition’s meanest defence.
After taking a summer break following the conclusion of the international competition, Alisson joined compatriot Roberto Firmino, as well as Mohamed Salah, in beginning pre-season training with the Reds earlier this week at their base in Evian.
And the 26-year-old has reconvened with the squad with a determination to better the achievements of last campaign.
“I’m very happy to be back,” Alisson told Liverpoolfc.com in France. “I had nice holidays with the family, spending time with my family and friends, but I was missing the pitch, the lads, the staff, everyone – missing you guys, also!
“Now I am looking forward to coming back to play and starting to work again.
“[As a team] we are excited, but we have to keep our feet on the ground, just as we did last season. We want to try for everything this season, so we need to work.
“The level of the football is high and similar at every club, so we need to work hard to achieve the same things and achieve even more this season.”
In helping Brazil lift the Copa America crown, Alisson became part of the first Selecao side to win the tournament since 2007.
This after playing an integral role in Liverpool’s sixth European Cup win a month earlier.
“To win the Copa America, it’s a special title – as is the Champions League – so it was an important title for me, for the nation,” he continued. “For Brazil, it’s been a long time since we won it – the last time was 2007, if I am not mistaken – so it was important for us.
“To win two titles, two big titles, during the season was great for me. I hope this season – and I will work this season – to make it more.”
As well as the winners’ medals, Alisson also took home numerous other individual honours in addition to the Golden Glove.
However, personal prizes are not something at the top of the Reds No.1’s agenda.
Alisson explained: “My first goal is always to win with the team, to win for the club. Only after that comes the individual trophies. I am happy, but they were not just my trophies – they were the trophies for the other goalkeepers [here] who work really, really hard on the pitch with me, with John [Achterberg] and Jack [Robinson] and with [Claudio] Taffarel at the national team, and with my other teammates also.”
Such was Alisson’s eagerness to begin work with Liverpool, he even tweeted the club’s official account on Saturday with the words ‘missing you’ followed by a red heart emoji.
“I feel the warmth from the people,” he continued. “Last season was special for us, for everyone – for me, for the fans, for my family and for the team – so I am looking forward to what we can do in this next season.
“We will work hard now to get ready quickly for the next games.”