It’s well known that the role of goalkeeper comes with a lot of leadership responsibility. As the last line of defence with the entire game playing out in front of them, it falls on those between the sticks to communicate and organise the back line, and in many cases, the rest of the squad as well.

While these days it’s somewhat rare to see a keeper wear the captain’s armband, the leadership qualities required for the role in net should not be understated, and few set such a strong example of this as Liverpool’s Alisson Becker.

How Alisson Becker Has Filled Liverpool's Leadership Void

There’s been plenty of discourse around Liverpool’s incomings over the recent transfer windows, but much less attention has been given to those that have left the club.

Both Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson departed during the recent summer, having arrived together in 2017, while Trent Alexander-Arnold had already swapped Merseyside for Madrid the year before, meaning the core of Jurgen Klopp’s mentality monsters was no more.

The departure of so many longstanding senior figures left Liverpool with a lack of leaders. Although skipper Virgil van Dijk remained, he wasn’t getting any younger, and options for his deputy were few and far between. Joe Gomez consistently struggled for fitness and many others have only been at the club for a couple of seasons.

Alarm bells were sounded around the Reds’ fanbase when rumours started to emerge linking the Brazilian with a move away from Anfield, the club reportedly considered parting with their no. 1, only for other departures to make them reconsider.

Alisson may well have been open to the move, especially when Juventus came to the table, but the Brazil international's leadership qualities were increasingly important ahead of the upcoming season, showing just how valuable that side of his game had become.

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Why Alisson Becker Was Named One of Liverpool's Vice-Captains

Alisson’s importance to the team in a leadership capacity was made plain by new manager Andoni Iraola in recent interviews, with the departure of Salah and Robertson in the summer, new vice-captains were needed to support Van Dijk.

Speaking in a Premier League press conference, Iraola had this to say: “The captains will be Virgil, will be Alisson, will be Joe Gomez and Dom Szoboszlai.

“But I explained to Alisson especially that it’s not going to be possible that he wears the armband because with the new rules there is a big limitation if a ‘keeper wears the armband.”

This public backing by the manager underlined the importance Alisson has to the team, his ability as a leader is clear to all the players and staff at the club, it is the Premier League's captaincy rules that make it impractical for him to wear the armband.

How Alisson Becker's Experience Makes Him a Liverpool Leader

Experience can play an important role in developing leadership, and Alisson Becker has no shortage of either. Since arriving on Merseyside in the summer of 2018, the Brazilian has become a two-time Premier League winner, as well as lifting the UEFA Champions League and winning two Premier League Golden Glove awards.

There are few goalkeepers in history with a more impressive collection of saves, and even fewer than can boast a last gasp winner on their CV.

Throughout this silverware-laden journey, Alisson has become a key figure in the Liverpool dressing room, and is now a leader in a new era at Anfield.