The most important goal of Liverpool’s season wasn’t scored in this season. Alisson’s most significant contribution wasn’t the penalty save from Mason Mount that ultimately won the FA Cup. It wasn’t a save at all. Today marks the anniversary, one-year to the day when the Brazilian became the goalscoring goalkeeper, soaring to head in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s injury-time corner away at West Bromwich Albion. A point became three. A top-four finish became feasible.
Without that, talk of a quadruple may have incorporated the Europa League or the Conference League but not the Champions League. It represented a far greater turning point in Liverpool’s recent history than winning their first FA Cup in 16 years. It highlighted the capacity for the extraordinary that Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool possess. When keepers are praised for their ability to deal with crosses, it rarely involves heading them in. “It was a magic moment,” said John Achterberg, the long-serving goalkeeping coach.
