When it comes to backing a goalkeeper, there can be no greater praise than that from a peer and one former Liverpool man believes Alisson Becker could be the best ever to grace the Premier League.
Brad Friedel was on Liverpool's books for almost three years from 1997-2000 but only managed 31 appearances in a difficult spell, before going on to have an established Premier League career with Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham. He remains a follower of the Reds, however, and believes that Jurgen Klopp has at his disposal one of the greatest keepers ever to grace the English top flight.
Speaking on behalf of 888sport, Friedel said: “Alisson is way up there. People could think he’s the best of all time and have an argument for him. Others may think it’s (Peter) Schmeichel, or (David) Seaman, or (Edwin) Van der Sar: they’re all in the conversation and it comes down to who you like. But I would not argue against someone thinking he is the best ever.
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Brazilian Alisson battles for his national team's number one jersey with Manchester City stopper Ederson, but American Friedel believes that the Reds' glovesman has got the edge on his compatriot.
Friedel said: “They’re different keepers and I would put Alisson ahead slightly, but someone could sit next to me and argue the other way. Ederson is better with his feet. He’s special with his feet, superb. Alisson is probably a touch better with shot-stopping overall. They’re the same on crosses and one-on-ones.
"Maybe Alisson is a larger figure and has a bigger presence but with Ederson I turn on the TV to be entertained by a goalkeeper and it’s not often you can say that. I like watching goalkeepers, don’t get me wrong, but I turn on the TV wanting the ball to go to his feet. I want to see how composed he is. I want to see him hit a seventy-yard pass on a dime. He’s fun to watch.”
Apart from both representing Liverpool in goal, Alisson and Friedel have something else in common - they have both scored in the Premier League. Alisson's injury-time headed winner against West Bromwich Albion in the latter stages of the 2020/21 season has gone down in Liverpool folklore.
But Friedel achieved the fete long before him in 2004 when playing for Blackburn. The American came up in the 90th minute for a corner and side-footed home a dramatic equaliser to make the score 2-2 against Charlton Athletic. But incredibly, the Addicks went straight down the other end and scored again to win the match 3-2.
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