Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has issued a rallying cry to his teammates, urging them 'to create our own history' by 2025 and signalling a warning to Arsenal that the Reds have not yet reached their peak.
As Liverpool conclude 2024 at the summit of both the Premier League and Champions League, Alisson reflects on the differences between the current squad and Jurgen Klopp’s previous champions.
The Brazilian shot-stopper, who was instrumental in Liverpool's 2019 Champions League triumph and their subsequent Premier League victory, believes comparisons with past teams are unnecessary. "I think it’s different players, different managers, a lot of more different things than similarities," Alisson commented on the two squads.
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"A few players still play in the team, but we have a little bit different style now, more ball possession. Before it was really straightforward, a lot of transition, a lot of intensity."
Alisson fondly recalled the achievements of the earlier team: "That team was really special and we achieved great things. It was the first Premier League title for this club in a long time. We achieved the Champions League together as well the season before."
"Of course, you’re going to find a lot of things, but I believe we don’t have to compare ourselves with the teams in the past, we have to create our own history. This season, this group has to create its own history."
Liverpool's Alisson has praised the quality of his teammates, stating: "With the players who came in, they brought a lot of quality. What we’re doing, we’re not going to erase the things we did in the past that were really special and will always be so in the history of this club."
He also expressed the team's desire for more success, saying: "What makes me happy is to see that this group of players, we have the quality to do something special. The most important thing is the commitment that’s needed to win something is there, together with the passion and the desire. We’re hungry and we want to win every game in front of us and and that’s all we’re focused on at the moment."
Despite Liverpool's strong position halfway through the season, Alisson insists they can still improve. He said: "I think if at the beginning of the season, we’d looked to this point now and were told the numbers, the amount of points we’d have, the place we’d be, we would sign off on it immediately.
"We’re happy about our position, but the best side of it is we can still improve in some aspects. That means we can become a better team, be more solid, more consistent. Defensive-wise mainly, we’re creating a lot, we’re playing so well. So we have to look to the good sides as well and be happy for what we’ve been doing so far."
Arne Slot has had a record-breaking start to his Liverpool career and Alisson says he has among those who were unsure whether the ex-Feyenoord boss would be capable of successfully replacing Klopp: "I think when Arne joined the club, everybody thought it would be hard work for him to replace a manager like Jurgen. But he’s showing his qualities and he brings us a lot of good things.
"I think it’s not only one key, but many things that are helping us to achieve our goals. I want to highlight the commitment of this team, to do what the manager asks, to go in every day and train hard. The players have the desire to improve, to be a better team and win big things for this club. That’s always important for a team that wants to be a winner."
Alisson echoed Slot’s mantra when he said it was far too early to talk about titles when there is still so much football to be played. He is mindful of last season when Liverpool saw their quadruple hopes fade in just a few spring weeks on the back of a crippling injury list.
"It’s too soon to talk about the title, but it’s our goal, it’s our target," he said. "At this point, we cannot look at the points and see how it goes. We have to really focus on the next opponent we have in front of us. That’s the mentality we need and that’s the mentality we have at the moment. We know how Premier League can change so quickly in two games."
Reflecting on learning from the past, the former Roma star added: “All the experience we have, it’s good to think about the good things and the bad things. The good moments and the bad moments, they will teach you.
"The bad moments, I think they teach you a lot, so, yes, we can take a lot of lessons from last season. But we’re in a different moment now as well.
"You can see all players are fully committed, everybody’s fit, we have a few players injured, but everybody who’s able to play, who’s not injured, is really fit, is really well, is in really good shape. You don’t only win games on the matchday, you win games before, by preparing yourself, by making yourself in the best shape possible. History has taught us that too."
