Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has made an impressive start to his Anfield career but this one stat highlights just how crucial his contributions have been.
It is easy to remember the delight of the day we found out that Liverpool were going to buy Alisson Becker. The fanbase had resigned themselves to another season of the Loris Karius/Simon Mignolet tug of war.
To find out Liverpool were signing one of the world’s best goalkeepers was a huge buzz and encouragement for this season.
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He immediately became the number one at Anfield and has so far looked worth the (at the time, but only for a week) world record transfer the Reds shelled out. The Brazilian has eight clean sheets in his first 12 Premier League games. And has still not allowed two goals in a single league match.
Much credit can be given to the Liverpool back four with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold all having outstanding seasons. However there is one stat that shines light on just how crucial Alisson’s contributions have been. This tweet from Alex Mansfield reveals how good he has been:
“32 of Alisson’s 34 saves in a Liverpool shirt have come with a one-goal lead, a one-goal deficit, or the game tied. That’s 94% of his saves that have directly affected the game state.”
Almost all of Alisson’s saves this season have come when the result is in the balance. Rarely has he made a save when the Reds have had a two goal advantage. It has been largely keeping Liverpool with a goal advantage or keep the game tied.
Alisson will have the chance to make it nine Premier League clean sheets this Saturday against Watford at Vicarage Road. Liverpool conceded three goals there last season on the opening day including a last-minute equalizer. Reds can feel better about their side’s defensive capabilities this time around.