Alisson Becker may have gone under the radar for many fans, but he played a clever and crucial role in Liverpool’s winning goal against Arsenal last weekend.
The Reds secured a 1-0 victory thanks to a spectacular 83rd-minute free kick from Dominik Szoboszlai, which was hailed as “world-class” by Gary Neville and left former USA international Taylor Twellman in awe.
While Szoboszlai rightly earned praise for his sensational strike, Alisson made a subtle but vital contribution in the moments leading up to it.
What did Alisson do before the free kick?
Liverpool fan @FloAnfield posted footage from the Anfield Road end showing Szoboszlai’s goal, and it revealed Alisson’s quick thinking during the buildup.
Just before the free kick was taken, the Reds’ goalkeeper signaled to Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo—who were positioned near the Arsenal wall—to shift slightly to their right. This move partially obstructed the view of Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
Although Raya came close to stopping the shot, he was a fraction too late, with his line of sight compromised—thanks in part to Alisson’s sharp awareness.
A Quiet Masterstroke from Alisson
While Szoboszlai’s strike was undoubtedly the highlight, Alisson’s subtle intervention deserves recognition. His instructions helped create the conditions for the goal by making it harder for Raya to react in time.
This moment reflects Alisson’s deep understanding of set-piece situations and his experience at the highest level, recognizing small opportunities to gain an edge and communicating them effectively to his teammates.
The Brazilian also kept his first clean sheet of the season in that match, after conceding twice in each of the three games prior. Though Arsenal offered limited threat at Anfield, Alisson still made solid saves when called upon, notably against Noni Madueke in both halves.
But arguably, his most decisive action came before the free kick—yet another reminder of why Alisson is widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world.
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