David James insists Alisson Becker is not only the best Liverpool goalkeeper ever – but also currently the best on the planet.
Anfield has been blessed to have a number of world-class stoppers between the sticks, with five-time league champion and three-time European Cup winner Ray Clemence top of the stops according to some. Other Kop greats include Tommy Lawrence, Bruce Grobbelaar, Pepe Reina, Jerzy Dudek and even James himself.
But even though the game has changed since Clemence’s day, James is sure Alisson now deserves the No.1 spot.
He said: “Ali produces big saves. I think the way that Liverpool play now is obviously very different historically to when they had Ray Clemence in goal, for instance. The laws of the game have changed with the removal of back passes, and more is demanded of Alisson, particularly with his feet.
“I know Petr Cech’s got the fewest goals conceded in the top flight, but that was, I think, six games less than Clem. Clem conceded 16, if I’m not mistaken, in 44 games, which is ridiculous. They conceded four in the whole season. They only conceded four goals at Anfield.
“For Clem, the rules were very different, which would allow Ali, possibly, or other goalkeepers in today’s game. The affordability of conceding less goals. But I think the way Liverpool play, Ali’s influence on Liverpool’s performances since he’s been at the football club means you have to put him up there as the best.
“I am actually a bit of a fanboy for Ali, but I just love everything he does. You know, his reading of the game, obviously the technical side of saving shots. His all-round game is absolutely superb and I can’t think of a better goalkeeper in the last, what, five, six years than Alisson Becker.”
James is also so impressed with how Alisson deals with everything that he faces, as well as his technical skill.
Alisson, who won the Premier League Golden Glove in 2018-19 and 2021-22, has eight clean sheets from 22 games in the top-flight this season, which puts him sixth for keepers in 2024-25.
But James, speaking to Prime Casino, added: “The technical side of things, he can do everything. Ederson has the assists. His kicking is slightly better than Ali’s with regards to range, but I would say that Ali’s all-round game is top.
“The technical side, he’s better than anyone else. But the most important thing about Ali is his demeanour. You watch him play, he’ll produce the big saves. Every now and again he might say something, but generally, you’ll never know whether he’s flustered or not.
“I think this is more about the person than just the actual performances but that person is creating the best performances in the goalkeeping world.
“The caveat to that is I haven’t seen all the other goalkeepers. People mention goalkeepers to me. I’ll do some research on them. More often than not, They’re good, but not the best. What I see with Ali is the best.
“As I say, when you see the performances, everything about it is top, top drawer. There’s a lot of people talking about goalkeepers and none of them – if you excuse the pun – can lay a glove on Ali.”
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