RIP Ray Clemence – the prototype for Alisson Becker
By Riaz Ravat
Liverpool legend Ray Clemence has passed away.
On Sunday 15th November 2020, the family of our legendary goalkeeper Ray Clemence MBE, sadly announced his passing.
The ‘keeper was signed by Bill Shankly from Scunthorpe United in 1967. He left Anfield following 665 appearances and a glorious medal haul consisting of three European Cups, five league titles, two UEFA Cups, a UEFA Super Cup, an FA Cup and a League Cup – a simply stunning record.
Jurgen Klopp paid the ultimate tribute when he told the club website:
"“We should never forget it is great players who make great teams and clubs. Clemence is one of the reasons our club is such a special one all these years later. He was one of the foundation stones that so much of this club’s success was built on.”"
‘Clemo’ like his successor today, Alisson Becker, was no ordinary keeper. Clemence was the man who guarded the ‘Red Wall’ in the 1970s. Indomitable, formidable and a standard setter, he thrived on locking the door and keeping clean sheets……without gloves.
You can see the difference a high quality goalkeeper makes. Without Alisson, Liverpool look shaky and low on confidence, especially when the ball comes into the final third. Top ‘keepers can be the difference between trophy winners and trophy losers, and Clemence embodied that.
Clemence started his Anfield career slowly and made just 14 league appearances in his first three years at the club – all of which came during the 1969-1970 side. But once the former Scunny man was in the side, he made over 40 appearances a campaign for the next decade.
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What a man.
Lest we forget that the 1978-79 team title winning team he was part of, only conceded 16 goals in a 42 game season. That’s a truly remarkable record and it highlights what a fantastic goalkeeper he was.
A move to Tottenham and seven more seasons in the top flight cemented his legacy in the English game.
The mural on Wylva Road in the shadow of Anfield is a fitting tribute to a mild mannered man who was ‘Our Greatest Goalkeeper’. Ray Clemence RIP. You’ll Never Walk Alone.
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Riaz Ravat is a member of Liverpool FC’s Equality & Diversity Fan Forum. He writes in a personal capacity.