Alisson Becker has explained how the way Liverpool helped him cope with the tragic death of his father was a major factor in him agreeing a long-term contract at Anfield.
The goalkeeper is now almost two seasons into a six-year deal he signed in August 2021, less than six months after his father Jose passed away after drowning in a lake near his holiday home in southern Brazil.
With the world gripped by the coronavirus pandemic, Alisson made the difficult decision not to travel back to his homeland and instead remain in England with his then-pregnant wife.
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He was moved by the subsequent strength of support shown not only by Liverpool, but by the wider football community. And he believes that played a part in his decision to not even consider playing elsewhere.
"I never imagined to go through a moment like that in my life," said Alisson about his father's death. "Nobody thinks about losing dad or mum or loved one suddenly or so quick but so many people at that moment were going through with Covid times, so many people were losing loved ones and I think the world was in a place where everybody was ready to show love for people and not only Liverpool, the boys here at the club were amazing, everybody, the staff, everybody I think they felt my pain together and they pushed me forward.
"To be honest, I took three days at home after my dad passed away and I was looking forward to coming back here, to this place, to work and to help them, because I felt already the love and the way they deal with the situation, helping me and my family to go through that and not only here but the football world, everybody, I was really touched.
"I received so many letters from managers, from clubs that I never imagined I would receive. Every message touched me a lot and helped me, supported me to go forward."
Alisson explained he not only relied heavily on his faith during such a difficult period, but also the "family" atmosphere that has been engendered at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp's tenure.
"What helped me most is my faith and the things I believe, God really keep me strong to keep going in my life, to move forward, to look forward, live for my children, I have enough motivation to do that for the really tough moments," he said.
"Of course, when I signed a new deal, a long-term deal at this club, I thought a lot at this moment that everybody was there for me and I have this feeling that I want to be here for the club as well, keep making history, keep this atmosphere that we have as a family.
"In football, players have to go sometime like we are seeing now with Bobby, like it was with Gini, Milly, the Ox, it can happen but players are coming as well and I just hope we can keep this environment, that the club can keep being as a family, that we can keep achieving so many things, trophies, that is what I hope for the next years."
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