NewsAlisson Becker: The Champions League is something special

The goalkeeper was an instrumental figure in Liverpool’s European Cup triumph during his debut season in 2018-19, as the Reds lifted the trophy for the sixth time after beating Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid.

Jürgen Klopp’s side are back in the semi-finals this season and will aim to reach a third final in the competition under the current manager when they take on Villarreal in a tie that begins at Anfield on Wednesday night.

“There was a lot of desire to lift the trophy, to lift the ‘Big Ears’, even before we won the Champions League,” Alisson told UEFA ahead of the clash with Villarreal.

“Winning the Champions League is something special in a player’s career. It is the best possible achievement for a club. It is the toughest competition to win, and we have managed to do it once.

“And when you win it, and you experience that moment, the thought that fills your mind is that you want to be part of that moment again, you want to experience it again.

“We know it is very difficult, but we know how it’s done. We will try our best so that we can do it again this year.”

Now approaching the end of his fourth season with Liverpool, the No.1 registered his 24th clean sheet of the campaign in Sunday’s 2-0 Merseyside derby win.

Asked how he and the team have developed since arriving from AS Roma, Alisson said: “It was a huge challenge for me when I signed for Liverpool.

“I left Roma, after a brilliant season for me personally at a club at which both my family and I felt at home. Coming here meant there would be a lot of rewards for my career in the offing, and I think I made the right decision.

“I was aware of the responsibility it entailed: being the first-choice goalkeeper at a club like Liverpool. The team was essentially already in a position to reach a Champions League final.

“I came here to reach my potential and achieve great things, which is what I have done. I don’t really know how to gauge my importance to the team, but what I can say is that I give my all every day with a lot of passion and dedication, with the knowledge that I can contribute something to the team, and that the team is dependent on all the pieces of the puzzle working well.”