Rio Ferdinand has named his top three goalkeepers in world football right now... and there's no place for Liverpool star Alisson.
Many within the game regard Alisson as one of the best stoppers on the planet, helping the Reds win the Premier League and Champions League.
The 29-year-old also helped Brazil lift the Copa America in 2019 and was named the best goalkeeper in the world by FIFA the same year, among other individual honours.
"He is by far the best goalkeeper in the world and I won’t have anyone ever tell me any differently," said former Liverpool goalkeeper Andy Lonergan in August 2020.
Ferdinand, however, doesn't believe Alisson deserves a place in the current top three - picking Edouard Mendy, Ederson and David de Gea ahead of him.
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"If I was picking a goalkeeper right now in the world, I think my top three keepers would be – and maybe people say you’re biased because of the Premier League – but it would be Mendy, Ederson, and on form right now De Gea," Ferdinand told his FIVE YouTube channel.
"Mendy stands out for me, especially in this last year, he’s been impeccable."
Few will disagree with Ferdinand's opinion of Mendy, who's enjoyed a sensational rise.
Heading into the 2017-18 campaign, the Senegal international was playing for Ligue 2 outfit Reims and wasn't even on the radar of Europe's biggest clubs.
Fast forward four-and-a-half years, however, and Mendy, 29, is undoubtedly one of the finest stoppers on the planet.
He's won the Champions League with Chelsea, was recently named FIFA's goalkeeper of the year and helped Senegal win the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time on Sunday.
"We are proud," said Mendy after his nation's final triumph against Egypt.
"We have never won it before. We worked really hard to win this trophy and today we won as a group and as a country and that is why I am super proud.
"The shooters in the penalties did really well, I tried to do my best to save one shot and I did that, so I am super happy!"
Many would also agree with Ferdinand's view of Ederson, who's become an integral part of Pep Guardiola's Manchester City team since arriving from Benfica in June 2017.
The Brazilian - who has just 18 senior caps to his name due to Alisson being the country's No1 goalkeeper - has won eight major trophies at the Etihad.
Ferdinand's view of De Gea, however, is much more controversial. The Manchester United stopper has impressed this season, but many believe he isn't the goalkeeper he once was.
De Gea lost his place at Old Trafford to Dean Henderson last season and is no longer Spain's first-choice No1, with Athletic Bilbao star Unai Simon wearing the gloves.
There are also question marks about the United star's distribution, an essential attribute for all modern-day goalkeepers.
"His distribution with the ball is, and maybe I’m being a little bit over critical, but I think with the ball at his feet, he wouldn’t get a game in League Two," former Premier League defender Micky Gray told talkSPORT in September 2021.
"When I watch him play, he just does never look comfortable with the ball at his feet.
"I’m saying this might be a little bit over critical, but I just don’t feel confident at all, and I don’t think he does either, defensively.
"As I said before, I think he’s the best in one-vs-one situations. He’s absolutely outstanding."
