Paris was the backdrop for a match that looked likely to go pear-shaped for Liverpool but ultimately finished in ecstasy courtesy of Brazilian keeper Alisson Becker. He was the dead and absolute hero of Liverpool's 1-0 victory over PSG in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 encounter. Whoever glanced only at the scoresheet has no idea about the storm the Reds weathered at Parc des Princes. It was almost 90 minutes of pure domination from the French, who tested Liverpool's goal with 27 attempts during the game. Alisson, though, made the goal seem impenetrable.
Alisson makes nine saves, Reds avoid a record loss
If the worst is to lose a game for which you were entirely superior, then PSG endured that. The French club, under Luis Enrique's command, dominated Liverpool for all but a few minutes of the first half. They had 12 shots on goal in the first half alone, and at least three clear-cut opportunities were denied by the Brazilian goalkeeper. PSG tried, persisted, switched attack, crosses, and solitary runs, yet kept coming up against the same wall known as Alisson.
In the second half, history repeated itself. Alisson was tested once more and responded with saves that seemed to be defying physics. Each blocked shot only added to French frustration. Punishment came twice as difficult at the 41st minute: Alisson played a precise long ball downfield to Darwin Núñez, who outmuscled defenders in a struggle and left Elliott exposed to score. A deadly counterattack that turned a heroic draw into a miraculous victory.
European media praise the Brazilian keeper's historic performance
As expected after a match like this, European newspapers did not hold back their praise. The Mirror named the Brazilian goalkeeper's performance as "the game of his life." The BBC Sport, nonetheless, went straight out and called Alisson "the best goalkeeper in the world right now," and the Daily Mail sarcastically joked that Liverpool had won due to the Brazilian having played for all his team players on the field. Finally, The Athletic simply termed Alisson a "hero," summarizing that PSG had been defeated by one man only: Liverpool's No. 1.
Alisson knows excellent performance
Having done the unthinkable on the field, the 32-year-old goalkeeper admitted that it was probably the toughest and most important match of his career. Alisson has already won the likes of the Premier League and Champions League with Liverpool, as well as being handed the world's best goalkeeper award multiple times. Even with all these awards, he was made very clear post-game that he still yearns for more. In a TNT Sports interview, he openly aired: "I'd like more praise. It would be nice. I hear what constructive criticism says, but where I sense exaggeration or insults, I simply ignore them."
During the same interview, Alisson has made it unmistakably clear that he feels welcomed, valued, and respected at Liverpool, something that is pivotal to enduring the constant pressure in an elite club in Europe. For him, such performances have to translate to titles, at both the club and the Brazil national team.
PSG players beg for mercy after Alisson's saves
To understand just how massive Alisson's performance against PSG was, remember that even his opponents were ridiculously frustrated. After yet another challenging save, PSG forwards pleaded mockingly to the Brazilian goalkeeper: "Hey man, enough already, right?". That is how Alisson described the bizarre exchange of words with the French players after yet another seemingly impossible stop. The words of the opponents tell us a lot about what happened in Paris.
Victory can't cover up Liverpool's glaring defensive issues
The defensive weakness shown in Paris was worrying and unsettling. Allowing PSG to have 27 attempts in a deciding game is practically inviting elimination, even if Alisson is a giant between the sticks.
If Liverpool is to move forward, they badly need to fix their defense line. The return match is at Anfield, and one-goal victory for PSG puts the fight into extra time or even penalties. Fans of Liverpool can enjoy it presently, but they are well aware that with their goalkeeper absent, it could have been an entirely different story.
Alisson deserves more praise after landmark performance
Alisson's post-match words couldn't have been more black-and-white: he is due maximum respect and admiration. Europe saw it, the world saw it, but the question is whether it'll be sufficient to change opinions about one of the finest goalkeepers of the past couple of years.
Liverpool and their fans know only too well what they have: a goalkeeper able to win games and change destinies, as he did at PSG. The Brazilian did not ask for recognition from vanity; he knows keepers are only ever remembered for the errors they commit. His performances for the national team are criticized by many Brazilian fans, but he's hardly to blame for Brazil's recent disappointments. Maybe after this historic match in Paris, the world will finally learn of the real magnitude of Alisson Becker, the player who single-handedly brought Liverpool closer to their European dream, and with even higher ambitions in his national team.