Alisson Becker has refused to criticise Everton’s tactics against Liverpool and believes his side must show the same character as they would in a final in their upcoming games.
Two second-half goals from Andy Robertson and Divock Origi eventually handed the Reds a 2-0 win over their local rivals at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. However, for an hour, the hosts found life tough going.
Everton set up with a clear game plan to frustrate Liverpool and stop Jurgen Klopp’s side playing at every opportunity. But the game swung in the Reds’ favour when Luis Diaz and Origi were both introduced from the bench.
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Many in football were quick to question and take aim at Frank Lampard’s tactics after the game, with some believing they came straight out of the Jose Mourinho playbook. But Alisson believes the Blues did well to stick to their game plan.
“At this point in the season, because of what the teams are fighting for, I believe that each match has the character of a final,” he told ESPN Brasil via Sport Witness.
“A moment when neither team wants to make mistakes. Everton came in today with a proposal not to concede goals at all and they did very well within their tactics.
“We had a lot of merit to keep calm in this mental game. In the first half, perhaps, we didn’t use our best weapons. Then, in the second half, we came in with more movement.
“With a more aggressive attitude, in a good way. With the ball, we made the necessary moves, we worked with crosses, a lot of people inside the box.
“It’s hard to defend there, even with ten men behind the ball line. It’s hard to defend yourself when the opposing team has that intensity. We managed to do that and we left here with the victory.”
Before the Liverpool goalkeeper continued: “And also, as I said earlier, our attitude. To have a little more intensity with the ball, to really make the ball move.
“Not only keep possession of the ball, but be aggressive in movements, fullbacks overlapping inside and out. Moving around, creating some chaos in their defence.
“There are moments when it’s practically impossible to defend against a team that changes positions so much. Everything that was predictable in the game, they were well prepared for.
"But every time that we made a move that was not what they were expecting, we managed to stand out. And also the substitutions, Divock, Luis also entered the game very well.
"He’s a guy who worries the opposing defence, of having to hold more, of not tackling up on the pitch. And with that we had open spaces. It’s a credit to our team for having a clear head, for working to find the goals.”
