Alisson Becker has made a bold claim about the Champions League and explained how Jurgen Klopp continues to motivate Liverpool’s players.
Liverpool maintained their bid for an unprecedented quadruple after winning 2-0 at home to Everton on Sunday afternoon. Two second-half goals from Andy Robertson and substitute Divock Origi were enough for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
The win moved the Reds, who will play Chelsea in the final of the FA Cup next month after beating the same team to win the Carabao Cup in February, one point behind leaders Manchester City in the Premier League table.
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Next up for Alisson and his Liverpool team-mates is the first-leg of their Champions League semi-final showdown against Villareal at Anfield on Wednesday night. And the Brazilian believes the European Cup is the toughest competition to win.
“There was a lot of desire to lift the trophy, to lift the 'Big Ears', even before we won the Champions League,” the Reds goalkeeper told UEFA.com.
“Winning the Champions League is something special in a player's career. It is the best possible achievement for a club. It is the toughest competition to win, and we have managed to do it once.
“And when you win it, and you experience that moment, the thought that fills your mind is that you want to be part of that moment again, you want to experience it again.
“We know it is very difficult, but we know how it's done. We will try our best so that we can do it again this year.”
Liverpool's resurgence under Klopp continues apace with his side standing on the brink of immortality. As well as winning the Champions League back in 2019, the Reds have won the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and their first league championship for 30 years under the German's guidance.
“He is the key figure in our squad. He is the foundation of our team. He is the one who started it all. Our mentality is just like his,” Alisson said of his manager.
“He chose all the players in the team, signed most of them, and brought most of them here. And [Klopp isn't just a key figure in this team] because of his qualities as a coach, but also because of the type of person he is, his character.
“He is the person who keeps us united, and who is responsible for reminding us in the decisive moments of how strong we are together and united, and he is also the one keeping our feet on the ground, so we're not distracted by the good results that we have been getting over the past few years.”
Before Alisson added on his development at Liverpool, saying: “It was a huge challenge for me when I signed for Liverpool [in 2018].
“I left Roma, after a brilliant season for me personally at a club at which both my family and I felt at home. Coming here meant there would be a lot of rewards for my career in the offing, and I think I made the right decision.
“I was aware of the responsibility it entailed: being the first-choice goalkeeper at a club like Liverpool. The team was essentially already in a position to reach a Champions League final.
“I came here to reach my potential and achieve great things, which is what I have done. I don't really know how to gauge my importance to the team, but what I can say is that I give my all every day with a lot of passion and dedication with the knowledge that I can contribute something to the team, and that the team is dependent on all the pieces of the puzzle working well.”
