Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker Alisson Becker admits he was compelled to resist the lure of Saudi Arabia this summer – and will instead consider penning a new contract with Liverpool. But the goalkeeper hasn’t ruled out ultimately making a lucrative move to the Middle East once his Reds career is over. Alisson emerged as a key target for the ambitious Saudi Pro League earlier this year as they prepared to embark on another recruitment drive from top clubs in both Europe and South America. Liverpool’s ongoing attempts to sign Georgia international goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili have further heightened speculation the Brazil international is approaching the end of his time at Anfield. Asked if he had received an approach from Saudi Arabia, the keeper said:
“Yes, they had interest. Why stay? I have a contract and I want to honour my contract and finish my contract here or make a new one. I am really happy here. My family is happy. I never got to the point where I was talking about wages and things like this, it was just interest, but when you hear about the numbers the other players are getting you are a little bit attracted. That is normal. (But) I never thought about leaving. I had always decided to stay. I have two years plus one – the club’s choice – to stay here at Liverpool. So I will not leave now and I never thought about that. When the interest from Saudi came, I cannot close the door on a big deal. But my decision was always to stay and focus on the things we can achieve, this new beginning and this new start, and I am really excited about that. We are starting fresh with new energy and looking forward to what this season will bring for us.”
Alisson added: ” At the end of the day, you play football for love, it is the thing you like to do, but it is our profession and we want to use the years that we have to make the most of it. I think I am open to that (Saudi Arabia) personally but not now. Now is not the time. I am really focused on the things we have here at Liverpool and while I still have my contract here, I will be focused here. If it is in the interest of the club to negotiate me (to sell), then it will be a different conversation. At this time, at this window that we have, I am focused on my job here and my life in Liverpool.”
Alisson revealed he was told by the club of the intention to sign Mamardashvili – the Reds are discussing a €40m deal that would see the keeper return to Valencia this season – before the news became common knowledge. And rather than be annoyed at the potential arrival of another rival for his position, the 31-year-old has instead welcomed the forward planning of the Liverpool recruitment team.
Alisson said “I think the club needs to prepare for the future, We are not going to last forever here, I am getting old! No, for a goalkeeper I am still young, I have a lot of energy and I still have much to give for this club and I want to give to the club as much as I can. Sorry, this content is no longer supported “
But they have to prepare for the future. They have and they will do for different positions as well. We have so many important players with the contract expiring and the club needs to organise themselves for the future.
Alisson added “I think it was a good idea, I knew about that (Mamardashvili) before it came out on social media and that is a good message for me because the club cares about what I think. But they are doing the right thing in my point of view, but, on my side, as long as I have my contract here and as long as I am happy here, the club is happy with me, my family is happy here, I will stay.”
