Photoby Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images
The Liverpool goalkeeper praised the two unheralded defenders
for stepping up when needed.
After a few weeks of close results, nervous moments, and worries
about form and fitness and potentially season-defining injuries,
Liverpool put in a vintage performance and earned
convincing victory against Atalanta on Tuesday evening.
A pile of goals in attack and a clean sheet at the back added up
to a 5-0 victory that puts them clear on top of their group, and if
the fans were feeling relieved afterwards, it sounds like
goalkeeper Alisson Becker was as well—at least a little.
“We have had tough matches that we have played against tough
opponents that make our job really difficult on the pitch,” he
. “Tonight, it wasn’t different but from the way
we play it was better the way they tried to defend against us.
“We had more space on the pitch but because we worked harder we
created more spaces and we were calm enough to keep the ball to
prepare the situations. Obviously when we had the chances we scored
and then we kept the clean sheet.”
As for keeping that clean sheet, while few doubt this side’s
attacking prowess, with Virgil van Dijk ruled out for the season
along with recent injuries to Fabinho and Joël Matip it’s in the
defensive end where there’s been some cause for concern.
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And while Alisson was called on to help out his teammates on
occasion last night, the defence was generally strong—as it has
been in recent games even while counting on unexpected
contributions from Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips.
“We are not a team of only one player,” Alisson added. “The last
weeks have been difficult because we have lost some important
players, but we have many coming back as well. Joel was here as
well and he is a player we need. We need everybody fit.
“Rhys is a good lad. He is always asking me to speak with him
and talk with him. He works hard and this helped him a lot. Nat,
I’m really happy for the way he played on Saturday. It was
difficult because he has gone a long time without playing.
“He grabbed it with both hands and did really well and I’m happy
for him, happy for the team with what we have in front of us. We
have a big challenge now, but I’m really happy with what we are
doing on the pitch.”