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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Charlotte Coates

Alisson Becker watched father's funeral online to help Liverpool through 'difficult time'

Alisson Becker has revealed it was his decision to attend his father's funeral via an online video call rather than taking a flight to Brazil.

It was February 2021 when Alisson received the devastating news that his father had passed away after drowning while swimming in a dam at his home in Brazil.

With Covid-19 restrictions still playing a big part at that time, it was difficult for Alisson to get home, but the goalkeeper has revealed the club did 'everything' to make it possible for him.

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Alisson opted against returning to Brazil as his wife was pregnant at the time, so he didn't want to put her at risk of catching Covid and Liverpool needed him with their battle for a Champions League spot ongoing.

“I remember that the time he passed away was the height of the pandemic and I was unable to attend the funeral,” Alisson told UOL.

“I participated online, it was my decision. Liverpool offered me everything to travel there, my teammates offered to charter a flight so I could go straight to Porto Alegre. They would do it for me if I wanted to, but I couldn’t go right now.

“My wife was pregnant, she was at risk, and I couldn’t put her in danger. I couldn’t leave her alone. She suffered as much as I did. My concern was my mother, but my brother managed to be with her. It was a rational decision to stay away at that time.”

The Reds' defence of the Premier League title didn't go to plan as injuries hit the squad hard, as did a lack of fans inside stadiums. Alisson stayed on Merseyside in order to help his team-mates.

“Liverpool was also going through a difficult time," Alisson added. "Fighting for a place in the Champions League, and if I had gone to Brazil I would have had to spend some time isolated and I don’t know if I would have had time to return in time to finish the season. My teammates also needed me.

“I stayed three days at home, without training, and it felt like an eternity. The day I got back, I realised that I had to move on out of gratitude for my father and also for the strength I received from people in the world of football and my club.

“I only lost (missed) one game because I really didn’t have the strength at that moment, but then I started playing again. I experienced many joys immediately. It was the season I scored the goal. My son was born in the midst of all this, two months after my father passed away. These things brought a breath to move forward.

“I have three children, my wife, my mother… everyone who loves and cheers me on is enough motivation to keep going. The unity of the family at that moment gave me strength. It is for them that I follow.”

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