Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker wants to stay at the club beyond the end of the season, when his current contract expires.
The 34-year-old joined from Roma for £66.8m in 2018 and has made 347 appearances for the Reds.
“Yes [I want to stay], in my mind. I’m focused on playing every game, but in my mind I’m happy to stay,” said Alisson.
“That depends on a lot of aspects and different situations. But my will is to stay – I’m happy here, and my family is happy here.
“I’m still hungry for titles and to deliver good performances. I still want to play at the top level for as long as I can, so that’s my thinking.”
Last week, Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola said he didn’t know if this would be Alisson’s last season at the club, but hoped the goalkeeper could “continue for more time”.
Asked if he has discussed a new deal, Alisson said: “No, but my agent is talking with the club.”
The Brazil keeper did consider a move to Juventus earlier this year but ultimately chose to stay at Anfield.
After a difficult week, with Liverpool losing to Arsenal and then Fenerbahce, Alisson made several crucial saves in Sunday’s win at Crystal Palace.
The goalkeeper says Liverpool now need consistency to challenge for silverware.
“Our reality is that we’re not doing as well as we can. It doesn’t mean that we are not doing well – we are doing well in so many games – but the consistency is not there yet,” he said.
“We have a top manager, top players. We are capable of great things but as a team we need to get to a point where we feel: ‘We are OK now. We have the confidence. We have everything that’s needed to win.’
“We are building that. I hope we get there really quick but it takes time.
“We have to be patient, but as players, in our minds, we don’t have time to waste.”]
Analysis: A big call to let Alisson go
This is the first time Alisson has discussed his contract this season and, judging by how he spoke after a superb performance at Selhurst Park, he clearly wants to stay at Liverpool.
Giorgi Mamardashvili, 26, is waiting in the wings, while highly rated 18-year-old Lucca Brughmans will move to Liverpool from Genk in the summer, so Iraola’s side will not be short of goalkeeping options – but it would be a huge call if they do allow Alisson to leave on a free transfer.
His distribution hasn’t been up to the standard we are used to in recent weeks, and Arsenal punished it ruthlessly, but his string of saves against Palace was a timely reminder that he is still a world-class goalkeeper.
This season, Liverpool have kept four clean sheets in 10 Premier League games but have conceded 10 goals in four Champions League matches, with Alisson playing every minute in both competitions so far.
He is still a leader within the side and was named as one of Iraola’s vice-captains at the start of the season.
Alisson did assess his options last season but with senior figures like Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson leaving, he opted to proceed with a one-year extension.
With Virgil van Dijk’s contract also set to expire at the end of the season, sporting director Julian Ward faces two major decisions about the future of two men who have been constants for Liverpool since 2018.
Of course, both command hefty wages, but this is a young Liverpool side trying to find its way under Iraola, and the head coach will know the value of two experienced players who have been with the club for so long.
Perhaps a one-year extension can be offered to Alisson which could allow Brughmans to learn from the Brazilian but, at 34, he may be looking for the security of something longer term.
Either way, Liverpool‘s hierarchy will be watching closely to see how Alisson fares as the season progresses. If he can carry on performing like he did against Palace, then a new contract will be a no-brainer.
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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
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