Alisson’s heroics earn Liverpool three points against West Brom

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The Brazilian became the first Reds’ goalkeeper to score a goal in the Premier League and the first-ever to score a header since the league began in 1992.

In a game that was poised for another draw, up came Alisson for a last-minute corner. What came after is a moment of shock for the West Brom players and fans watching at home and a moment of delight for the Liverpool players and fans back home.

Liverpool’s number one was in the right place at the right time with nobody marking him. He leapt and the rest is history as the ball nestled into Sam Johnstone’s goal. A moment the goalkeeper will definitely not forget as he spoke to Sky Sports about his goal.

“I tried to look at the bench and nobody called me. And then I was called [by Liverpool’s goalkeeping coach] with conviction.

“I saw it coming and I just tried to run into a good place and to be in a good position. The ball in was brilliant and I just tried to put my head on the ball.

“Nobody followed me. I am lucky and blessed. Some things you can’t explain. You can’t explain a lot of things in my life, the only reason is God and he put his hand on my head today and I’m feeling very blessed.

“The celebration? I don’t know how to celebrate!

“Hopefully I don’t have to come up too many times to score goals.”

It wasn’t the cleanest of performances from Liverpool as they had chance after chance to seal the deal before the dramatic goal from Alisson.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and many others had shots that were either saved by Johnstone or were over as they failed to hit the target.

It has been a season to forget for Alisson as at times he looked nervous when distributing the ball short to his central defenders.

Against West Brom, he did make one or two risky passes that had the coaching staff on the edge of their seats but throughout the 90 minutes, he was the most accurate passer with a 93% pass completion rate.

His poor decision making has cost the Reds points at times, having made three errors leading to goals in 2020/21.

A late charge into the top four for the Merseyside club is still a huge possibility as they face Burnley and Crystal Palace in their final two games.

Alisson’s performance against the Baggies was a standard performance as not much was thrown at him. That being said, he did concede a goal that could have easily not happened if it wasn’t for young defender Rhys Williams stepping out of position.

Hal Robson-Kanu was then through and curled a delightful side-footed effort round the Liverpool goalkeeper to give the hosts the lead.

The Reds were back on level terms after Sadio Mane laid the ball to Mohamed Salah whose first-time finish hit the inside of the post and went into the back of the net.

Liverpool had most of the chances throughout the 90 minutes and should have won the game and put it to bed before Alisson’s goal, but the Brazillian will go down as a hero who could have just rescued the Reds’ chance of playing in the Champions League next season.

Two wins from two could seal the deal for the Reds as Leicester and Chelsea, who sit above them in fourth and fifth, play each other tomorrow in a game of fine margins after the Foxes beat the Blues at Wembley to lift the FA Cup for the first time ever.

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