If Liverpool are to finish in the top four against the odds this season, they could well owe a debt of gratitude to Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea.
The Spaniard was at fault for Said Benrahma’s winner for West Ham on Sunday, getting a hand to the Algerian’s tame effort from distance but unable to keep it out as it squirmed out of his grasp and into the bottom corner.
Falling to a 1-0 defeat at the London Stadium, the Red Devils still occupy fourth but sit just a point above Liverpool, albeit having played one game less. Meanwhile, De Gea’s latest error has cast doubt on his future at Old Trafford with his current contract set to expire this summer, though United do possess a one-year option.
READ MORE: Liverpool could qualify for Champions League thanks to Man United - but what has to happen next
Erik ten Hag has said he would like to retain the 32-year-old, yet the shot-stopper would need to accept a big reduction on his current £375k-a-week contract if he wishes to extend his 12-year stay at United. Meanwhile, scrutiny continues to hang over his head following his latest costly error, with some questioning the wisdom of the Red Devils if they did keep the goalkeeper.
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was critical of his former team-mate when on punditry duty for BT Sport for the game against West Ham.
"It's a bad mistake. He will take full responsibility for that," he said. "His left foot does slip slightly but that's no excuse, he's got full contact on the ball. It's not like he is stretching and getting fingertips on it."
Meanwhile, former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch and Newcastle United midfielder Jermaine Jenas would slam De Gea's latest costly error as 'terrible' and 'beyond shocking.'
"If he's in contract negotiations, making mistakes like that is never going to help," Crouch said. "He's been a top-class goalkeeper over the years, but at the moment it feels like he's making big errors in big, big games. David de Gea has had a shocker, we can't dress it up. You can't justify it at all, it's a terrible mistake."
Jenas added: "That's beyond shocking. His team is in full control of this game and to let one in like that. He'll know himself."
Also at fault for United’s Europa League exit at the hands of Sevilla last month, De Gea has made four errors leading to a goal in all competitions this season, the joint-most of any Premier League player, along with Hugo Lloris.
Yet he still leads the way for the Golden Glove, having kept 15 clean sheets in the Premier League this season. Winner of the award in 2017/18, the 32-year-old is two clean sheets clear of his nearest rivals with United having four games left to play. While it is in his hands as a result, most would find such a fact hard to believe considering his struggles.
Liverpool’s Alisson Becker is one of the shot-stoppers who could snatch the prize out of De Gea’s grasp, having kept clean sheets in the Reds’ 1-0 victories over Fulham and Brentford in the past week. With three games left to play, he is level with Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale on 13 clean sheets in second place.
The Brazilian hasn’t been immune from errors himself though this season, having gifted goals to the likes of Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr and Wolves’ Goncalo Guedes. Yet Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool are well-aware how much worse their disappointing season could have been without their number one.
“Alisson was really touched that we kept a clean sheet tonight, it was that long ago he kept a clean sheet for us,” the German said following the Reds’ victory over Fulham. “Especially in that situation.
“For sure he is the most consistent player we have this season. That is good news. If we’re not in good shape and the level of the goalie drops as well, then we would have been completely lost.”
Meanwhile, he’d joke that the Brazilian had made ‘100 lifesaving saves this season’ after Alisson kept his 100th clean sheet for the club in their win against Brentford.
“I gave him a shirt, we had a shirt prepared for him,” Klopp told BBC Sport. “I said this is actually for ‘100 lifesaving saves this season’. Ali said, ‘It might have been more’. Maybe he is right!
“His performances speak for themselves. If you know him, he is a better person than a goalie and that is already difficult. Ali should be really proud of that. I can’t wait to see the next 100.”
A two-time Golden Glove winner, Alisson, who first won the trophy after his first season in England in 2018/19, is the current holder of the prize after sharing it with compatriot Ederson last season.
Even when making the occasional mistake, Liverpool’s faith in Alisson is unwavering. They know full well how fortunate they are to possess, at least in their eyes, the very best goalkeeper in the world.
Now boasting back-to-back clean sheets, the confident Brazilian will be desperate to maintain such a run as the Reds look to at least maintain their slim hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League for as long as possible.
Compare that to the lack of confidence surrounding De Gea at the moment, despite leading the way for the Golden Glove, and their current situations are chalk and cheese.
Now inside the final month of the Premier League season, both players could well be decisive when it comes to which of Liverpool and Manchester United finish in the top four. And while Alisson's status at Anfield is untouchable, the Red Devils face a summer where they could be looking for a new first-choice goalkeeper.
READ NEXT
Lionel Messi was right all along about Liverpool and they are showing it again
Chairman wanted Liverpool to sign 'outrageous' striker Jamie Carragher loves instead of Darwin Nunez
-
What Liverpool fans sang at Anfield as national anthem was drowned out by boos
'That's quite rare' - Virgil van Dijk makes Liverpool training ground admission about Mohamed Salah
