Fans will instantly connect the South American shot-stopper with heroic saves, game-saving moments and a certain last-gasp winner at The Hawthorns, but while Alisson has enjoyed a trophy-laden period at Liverpool, his story goes back much further than his time at Anfield.
Alisson was born in Novo Hamburgo, in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, in 1992, by the age of 10, he joined Internacional’s academy and worked his way through to the U23s.
Alisson made his first-team debut at 21 but made only six appearances in his first season, playing backup to his brother Muriel Becker.
The following season saw veteran goalkeeper Dida join the club. Despite this, Alisson claimed the starting position for himself over the course of the season, making 11 appearances before taking the leap to 57 games in the next season, fully cementing himself as the no.1 goalkeeper.
After winning the title in each of his four seasons at the club, Alisson gained plenty of attention from the core European divisions, eventually making a transfer to Roma in July 2016. After making 15 appearances in his first season at the Italian club, the Brazilian largely served as competition for Wojciech Szczesny.
How Alisson Earned His Chance at Roma
With Alisson having considered leaving the Italian capital in search of more playing time, his opportunity came when Szczesny completed a move to Juventus, Roma’s reaction to this was not to sign a replacement, but to back their deputy to step up, highlighted by Alisson being given the No. 1 shirt.
The bearded shot-stopper would go on to repay this faith, becoming a central part of a fantastic UEFA Champions League campaign in which Roma reached the semi-finals without conceding at home.
This was where Roma’s Champions League campaign ended at the hands of Alisson’s future employers, with Liverpool overseeing a 7-6 win on aggregate despite a stunning 4-2 win for the Italian club at the Stadio Olimpico.
Alisson kept 22 clean sheets that season including 17 in Serie A, a season with such numbers is always going to turn the heads of the biggest clubs in football and that it did.
Alisson Becker’s Rise Through Internacional and Roma
Alisson made the move to Anfield in the summer of 2018, briefly becoming the most expensive goalkeeper of all time, before Chelsea broke that record four weeks later with the signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The 33-year-old hit the ground running on Merseyside, winning the Golden Glove in the Premier League with 21 clean sheets, and helping Liverpool win the Champions League by keeping a clean sheet in the final.
The Brazilian No. 1 has had an incredibly successful and decorated career with the Reds, but what’s more important is the journey that took him to Anfield, and the character he showed on the way.
The Character Behind Alisson’s Greatest Moments
Perseverance was key as he had to earn his place ahead of strong competition, proving himself worthy to play over the likes of Dida, Szczesny, and even his own brother.
This theme continued on the international stage, having to compete with Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson for much of his international career, another competition in which he established himself as Brazil’s first-choice goalkeeper when available.
Alisson’s story of resilience entered another chapter when his father, José Agostinho Becker, died in February 2021. As a devout Pentecostal Christian, Alisson was given time away to grieve with his family.
In May that year, towards the end of a difficult season Alisson came up with a magical moment to help his club qualify for the UCL.
In a game away at West Bromwich Albion, the score levelled at 1-1, the Liverpool goalkeeper came up for a corner in the 95th minute, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner found Alisson Becker, who headed home to secure the victory. to nod in and secure the victory.
Alisson became the first goalkeeper to score a competitive goal for Liverpool and the first goalkeeper to score a winning goal in Premier League history.
Alisson made sure to dedicate the goal to his family after the months they had been through following his father’s passing, Alisson told Sky Sports after the game: “Football is my life, I played since I remember as a human being with my father.
“I hope he was here to see it, but I’m sure that he’s seeing with God on his side and celebrating.”
This is one of the key lessons young footballers and goalkeepers can take from Alisson Becker’s story, the ability to make big saves and come up with assists can always be learnt, but having the strength of character to push forward and continue fighting after each and every setback, that is what can help separate elite players from the rest.
