MONITORING DESK
MANCHESTER
Liverpool were saved the ignominy of an early Champions League elimination against Napoli by the slimmest of margins, as the huge money invested in goalkeeper Alisson Becker came good in a tense 1-0 win over the Italians.
The Brazilian number one rushed from his goal and spread his 6ft 3in (1.91 metre) frame to bravely block from Arkadiusz Milik deep into stoppage time. The save also preserved his 12th clean sheet in 22 appearances since Liverpool splashed a then world record £67-million ($85 million) fee on a goalkeeper in July.
“If I knew Alisson was this good – I would have paid double,” said a beaming Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, clearly relieved to have escaped the group stages despite losing all three away games to group winners Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli and Red Star Belgrade.
Tied on points and head-to-head record with Napoli, Liverpool only progressed because they totalled more goals in their six group games.
“The save Ali made (was) unbelievable. It was of course a lifesaver tonight,” added Klopp.
Liverpool’s latest European night of joy at Anfield was saved because the club reacted to one to forget back in May.
