Alisson Becker under the spotlight as Liverpool’s goalkeeping dilemma grows

When a football team or individual player fails to meet expectations, it is often the manager who receives most of the blame. The man in the dugout is ultimately responsible for team selection, tactics and formation, but the players themselves must also accept their share of responsibility when performances fall short.

Is Alisson Escaping Too Much Criticism?

Just a year after winning the Premier League title, Liverpool endured a disappointing 2025/26 campaign, eventually finishing in the Champions League qualification places and a huge 25 points behind champions Arsenal.

While reports of a publicised disagreement with Mohamed Salah and problems behind the scenes may have contributed to Arne Slot’s departure, the players cannot completely escape scrutiny either

One player who has arguably avoided much of the criticism is Alisson Becker. The Brazilian goalkeeper remains one of Liverpool’s most respected players, but his performances have arguably declined in recent seasons.

That was once again evident during Liverpool’s opening fixture of the 2026/27 season against Newcastle.

Alisson was caught out when Anthony Elanga burst forward, with the goalkeeper appearing to misjudge his positioning and angles as the Newcastle winger calmly finished to give the hosts the lead.

There had been expectations that Giorgi Mamardashvili would eventually take over as Liverpool’s No.1, but that transition has yet to happen. With Andoni Iraola also naming Alisson as one of the club’s vice-captains, the Brazilian’s position appears secure for now unless the manager decides to rotate or an injury intervenes.

To Alisson’s credit, his ability to operate outside the penalty area remains impressive. He completed 18 of 19 sweeping attempts during the 2025/26 campaign, a statistic that demonstrates just how valuable he can be in a modern possession-based system.

However, his weaknesses in other areas deserve greater attention.

A Save Percentage That Raises Questions

Having a goalkeeper comfortable with the ball at his feet is extremely valuable in modern football. But shot-stopping remains the primary responsibility of any goalkeeper.

Alisson recorded a save percentage of just 55.74% on shots from inside the penalty area last season, a figure that inevitably raises questions about his consistency.

His overall Premier League save percentage was only slightly better at 63.53%.

For a Liverpool side expected to compete near the top of the table, those numbers are difficult to ignore.

His passing statistics appear considerably more impressive at first glance, with an overall completion rate of 79.02% in the Premier League. Yet a closer examination of his distribution reveals another potential concern.

Champions League Numbers Paint a Different Picture

Alisson’s long-range passing statistics from last season were particularly concerning.

His success rate on passes into the final third stood at just 27.4%, while that figure dropped dramatically to only 6.25% in the Champions League.

He completed just 59 passes into the opposition half while failing with 126 attempts, numbers that provide a very different perspective on his effectiveness with the ball.

Being able to sweep behind the defensive line and play short passes to Liverpool’s defenders is certainly important. However, a goalkeeper must also command his penalty area and inspire confidence among the players in front of him.

Repeatedly punching the ball away rather than confidently claiming crosses can suggest hesitation, and that uncertainty can quickly spread throughout a defence.

Are Liverpool Waiting for Mamardashvili?

Of course, goalkeeper performances cannot always be viewed in isolation.

If Liverpool’s central defenders are uncomfortable in possession or lack confidence under pressure, that can naturally affect the goalkeeper as well. Likewise, uncertainty from the goalkeeper can have the opposite effect on the defenders.

For now, Liverpool’s goalkeeping situation appears unlikely to change immediately. However, with Alisson’s contract entering its final year, the club could soon face an important decision.

The Brazilian will be able to speak to other clubs from January if no new agreement is reached, potentially leaving Liverpool with a major choice to make.

Could the club already be considering Mamardashvili as the long-term No.1, with the Georgian eventually taking over at the beginning of the 2027/28 season?

It may sound like a bold prediction, particularly given that Mamardashvili could spend another campaign waiting for his opportunity. But Liverpool must consider whether keeping Alisson beyond his current contract is the best solution for the club’s future.

The Reds may ultimately have to decide whether Alisson’s experience and leadership outweigh his recent shortcomings — and whether delaying Mamardashvili’s promotion could eventually become a decision they regret.