Van Dijk says Alisson Becker as important as Mohamed Salah

2023-05-08 13:05

Van Dijk says Alisson Becker as important as Mohamed Salah


Mohamed Salah 's 100th goal at Anfield may grab the headlines, but Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk believes goalkeeper Alisson Becker deserves similar recognition.



Salah's goal against Brentford yesterday gave the former 2020 champions their sixth consecutive Premier League (EPL) win and kept the Reds in the Champions League (UCL) The slim chances of a 100 -match clean sheet could only come through the nimble Alisson.


Despite a disappointing season, the Brazil star has emerged as the club's most consistent player, although Salah's 30-goal tally for the fourth time in six years has been more touted .


As such, Van Dijk - whose authority has been heavily criticized - appears to underscore Liverpool's reliance on Alisson.


" He is a role model for many players, especially the goalkeeper . I am delighted that he was our goalkeeper and played his role successfully, " said the Netherlands captain.


" Obviously on the pitch his quality is there - his contributions, his saves, his leadership, those things are important, off the pitch his quality is just as important.


" He was a key leader on this team and someone that many players looked up to.


" Obviously this achievement ( 100 clean sheets) is a big moment for him and hopefully he can contribute more. "