Liverpool keeper Alisson will prove to be a bargain buy, but could have joined West Brom for a fraction of £67m fee, reveals Jonathan Gould
Former Celtic shot-stopper accidentally scouted the Brazilian keeper for Baggies 18 months ago - and has tipped him to reach the very top for club and country
ALISSON and Hugo Lloris have been in the dock for dropping clangers this season.
With injury ruling Lloris out of Spurs’ clash with Liverpool tomorrow, the spotlight falls on Allison after his howler against Leicester.
The jury is still out on Jurgen Klopp’s £67million keeper, who gifted the Foxes a late goal when he was tackled trying a crazy Cruyff turn.
Yet Liverpool still won 2-1 to claim a fourth straight Premier League win and top the table.
And Middlesbrough goalkeeping guru Jonathan Gould has assured Kop fans that Alisson will prove to be a bargain.
Gould (below) actually stumbled across the Brazilian 18 months ago — while in Spain scouting a French striker for West Brom!
The ex-Scotland No 1 said: “I was in Villarreal for Tony Pulis, who was Albion boss at the time.
“It was hard to take my eyes off Roma’s young goalie, who had been brought in as a surprise replacement for Wojciech Szczesny.
“Tony had sent me to do a scouting report on Villarreal’s French striker Cedric Bakambu, who was playing against Roma in the Europa League.
“But I came back raving about Alisson — the guy who kept defying him!
“Alisson hadn’t played many games for Roma and I didn’t know who he was.
“He had just signed from Brazilian club Internacional and was seen as the understudy to Szczesny.
“Yet his performance that night convinced me he was destined for the very top.”
Roma had lost the first leg 1-0 at home to the Spaniards but won the second 4-0 with Edin Dzeko hitting a hat-trick.
Villarreal peppered Roma’s goal — yet could not find a way past an inspired Alisson.
Gould said: “He reminded me of David Seaman in terms of his size, confidence and ability. And I can’t pay many higher compliments than that.”
Alisson will clearly be under the microscope at Anfield due to his monster transfer fee.
Gould added: “Liverpool’s moneymen hope Klopp’s bought the complete keeper. I believe he has. People will point to his mistake against Leicester but Alisson will not be caught out again.
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“He was briefly the world’s most expensive keeper this summer before Chelsea paid £71.6m for Kepa Arrizabalaga.
“After him, comes Manchester City’s Ederson at £34.9m and next in the list is Gigi Buffon who cost Juventus £32.6m way back in 2001.
“All these years later Buffon is still good enough to sign for PSG — so think of the return Juventus got for 17 years!
“That’s why Alisson will be regarded as unbelievable value for years to come.”
Liverpool were forced to organise a private jet to make sure Brazilian stars Roberto Firmino, Alisson and Fabinho got back in time to prepare for Spurs tomorrow.
There were fears all three could miss out on the lunchtime clash at Wembley after helping Brazil beat El Salvador 5-0 in the U.S. in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
But the trio were back in training and are set to feature at the national stadium.