Liverpool Confirm Passing of Alisson Becker’s Father

It’s been increasingly difficult to find the energy to talk about football and about Liverpool Football Club over the past year, and while as a fan the results on the pitch haven’t helped the mood, it’s been about far more than that.

It’s been about the joy of sport being crushed under the fear and pain and uncertainty caused by an ongoing global pandemic. It’s been the fear and pain and uncertainty, for finances or physical health or the toll of isolation. It’s been for yourself or for loved ones you haven’t been able to see in person.

It’s been the slow, creeping, unending, exhausting toll of it all. And no matter that they’re well paid entertainers, it won’t be much different—if at all—for the players and coaches who have still been tasked with giving us something resembling football played out in echoing, empty stadiums once and twice a week.

We recently were given a reminder of that when news emerged that Jürgen Klopp’s mother had passed away and that the Liverpool manager had been unable to attend the funeral due to travel restrictions.

Today, we have another reminder, with news out of Brazil that Alisson Becker’s father has passed away in a swimming accident on his property in Rincao do Inferno.

Jose Becker was reportedly diving into a dammed body of water on Wednesday when he did not resurface. Emergency services were called to the property and later in the evening his body was recovered.

A public message of condolence and solidarity today from the club serves as confirmation of the sad situation. Our thoughts today, then, are with Alisson—and with Klopp and with everyone else struggling with the loss of a loved one during this already so difficult time.