Alisson Reveals Firmino Influence in Decision to Join Liverpool

Had enough Alisson Becker content? Doesn’t matter. Get the trunk.

In signing Brazil’s number one and arguably the most in-demand goalkeeper available, Liverpool have made yet another statement of intent in a year decidedly full of them. With two cup finals in three years, head-to-head dominance against domestic rivals and a couple of shattered transfer fee records, Jürgen Klopp and FSG are doing a bang up job restoring Liverpool to their perch amongst Europe’s elite.

Part of this return to prominence, as was the case with Sadio Mané’s role in recruiting Naby Keïta to Anfield, are increasing incidences of stories of Reds players exhibiting the traits of the big clubs, gegenpressing transfer targets in that earnest courtship ritual.

To that end, Reds fans often joked that Liverpool’s own Roberto Firmino should employ similar tactics in Liverpool’s pursuit of his compatriot Alisson as they rubbed shoulders in the Brazilian World Cup squad. And according to the now ex-Roma stopper, Agent #9 did just that.

“When the negotiations became official I spoke to [Firmino] and I only heard good things about the club and the city,” the 6’4 keeper revealed to LFCTV at his unveiling.

“He is a player who feels really at home here. He is loved by the fans and really popular with his team-mates.

“He is a great person and only had positive things to say. He said if I were to come here I would be really happy as well,” Alisson continued.

“Putting our friendship to one side and the time we spent together with the national team, I’m really happy to be at the same club as him and have the same daily routine as him.

“Hopefully we can develop a great deal together.”

That both players spouses are reported to have grown close over the course of the tournament in Russia surely helped matters somewhat as well.

With Liverpool so often on the wrong side of such soft power tactics in recent years—as the departures of the likes of Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho, Xabi Alonso and the like to more Spanish-y pastures can attest to—it’s good to be on the other end for once.