Ruud Gullit has questioned Brazil boss Tite for selecting Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson ahead of Manchester City stopper Ederson.
Dutch icon Gullit is the latest ex-footballer to criticise Alisson after Manchester United hero Peter Schmeichel claimed there is "always a mistake" in him. Alisson is Brazil's No.1 goalkeeper at the ongoing World Cup in Qatar, keeping two clean sheets in three games.
Tite is fortunate to have two world-class goalkeepers at his disposal. Alisson was named as the Best FIFA Goalkeeper in 2019, while Ederson has won three Premier League Golden Gloves. Third-choice stopper Weverton of Palmeiras is also highly thought of.
"What I have with Alisson is that there is always a moment that he turns off, especially with the ball at his feet," Gullit told beIN Sports.
"That's where he makes mistakes. Unbelievable. There is one moment like that. He always has that. What is this? He has that. I like the other one [Ederson]. Yes, I like him more. He is so good with his feet. I have a better feeling when he is behind than without."
Alisson has been a mainstay in Brazil's team since making his senior debut in 2015, earning 60 caps to date. He played in the 2019 Copa America final victory against Peru, although Ederson was preferred for the 2021 final defeat to Argentina in the same competition.
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Ederson made his Brazil debut in 2017 and has won 19 senior caps to date. He did not feature during the 2018 World Cup due to Tite preferring Alisson but did make his bow in the competition in the 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in Brazil's final group game of 2022.
Speaking to the same broadcaster, Schmeichel said: "I like the way Ederson plays. I like his style. I like how good he is with his feet and people question him. I like Ederson. I like the way he plays. When people say, 'Yeah, he’s good with his feet'.
"He’s very, very good as a goalkeeper as well. He makes big saves. Crucial saves. He fits into that Manchester City team so well. Therefore, I can’t say I prefer one to the other because I don’t know how he [Ederson] would fit into the Brazil team.
"I think the goalkeeper that you pick for your team has to fit into the way you play. If you can point anything towards Alisson. Everything [he has] is the traditional goalkeeping saving. One versus One, all of that. Coming for crosses, he’s very good. But there is always a mistake.
"It’s like he is overestimating the time on the ball he has. There is always something where you are a little bit worried. I never have that with the other one."
Alisson is expected to keep the gloves for Brazil's quarter-final clash against Croatia at the Education City Stadium on Friday. If Tite's side win that clash, they will face either Argentina or the Netherlands in the semi-finals. England are in the other side of the draw.
