Alisson produced the kind of performance Liverpool still lean on when the game tightens up. At Crystal Palace, he made key saves from Daichi Kamada, Adam Wharton and Yeremy Pino as Liverpool won 3-1, before Eddie Nketiah’s late penalty denied him a clean sheet.
His latest Premier League outing was rated 7.94, well above his season-long 6.8 mark. That fits the broader view of him as the Premier League’s standout goalkeeper since he arrived in 2018.
Liverpool’s succession plan
The awkward part for Liverpool is that the conversation around Alisson is happening at the same time as succession planning. Reports say the club took up the option to extend his contract for another 12 months, but they are also checking multiple goalkeepers, including Zion Suzuki, as they plan for his future.
Pete O’Rourke said Liverpool are doing their homework on several goalkeepers and putting contingency plans in place as they prepare for Alisson to leave in the summer. He also said the 34-year-old came close to leaving in the summer when there was strong interest from Juventus, before Liverpool extended his deal.
What the recent evidence says
Andoni Iraola did not accept the idea that Liverpool’s recent problems were simply down to one player. He said the goals against Arsenal and Fenerbahçe were not simply one player’s fault, and pointed to the wider defensive sequence against Arsenal when Liverpool had eight defenders behind the ball after losing possession.
That is the more balanced reading. Alisson has made mistakes in recent games, but the Palace display showed he is still producing the sort of saves Liverpool are paying for. Brad Friedel’s view from the same run of stories was that the Brazilian has been at his best level in recent games, and that sits much closer to the Palace evidence than any broad decline narrative.
Liverpool remain fourth, and their attack has already supplied 14 league goals, so the goalkeeper debate is being judged in a live season rather than a collapse. The club may well keep looking, but Alisson’s performance at Palace was another reminder that replacing him will not be straightforward.
FAQ
Is Alisson still Liverpool's first-choice goalkeeper?
Yes. Alisson produced a standout performance at Crystal Palace and remains Liverpool’s top performer in goal, even as reports say the club are checking multiple goalkeepers and planning for his future.
Are Liverpool already planning for life after Alisson?
Reports say they are. Liverpool have taken up the option to extend his contract for another 12 months, but they are also checking multiple goalkeepers, including Zion Suzuki, as they prepare for his future.
Has Alisson definitely decided to leave Liverpool?
No. The sources say a departure is anticipated or being planned for, but there is no claim that Alisson has definitely decided to leave.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →
