Alisson Becker has admitted that he missed most of Liverpool’s run-in last season so he could be ready for the FIFA World Cup this summer.
The Brazilian goalkeeper sustained multiple hamstring injuries during the campaign, limiting him to 26 Premier League starts, the fewest he’s made since joining the Reds in 2018.
The 33-year-old missed seven of the team’s last eight games of the season as they just about squeaked a fifth-place finish to secure qualification for the UEFA Champions League.
Alisson sat out Liverpool games to prepare for World Cup
Alisson insists he is now “100 per cent” fit for the World Cup and ready to start their opening game against Morocco on Saturday.
“There are still questions, but that doesn’t scare me,” he responded when asked about his fitness at the pre-match press conference (via Estadao).
“I am aware that I am on the right track. Sometimes, on the field, things don’t happen as we would like. Perhaps, if we had won more, the perception would be different. What bothers me most is not winning.
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“There is always that feeling that I could have done something differently. I am 100 percent and being out of games at Liverpool was to prepare me for the World Cup.”
Brazil come into World Cup with doubts over their ability to win the trophy for a record-extending sixth time. The Selecao finished fifth in the CONMEBOL standings, losing more games (6) than any of the other South Americans to qualify.
Alisson admits that Carlo Ancelotti’s team are not among the favourites to win the tournament, but argued that “is no guarantee for anybody”.
“What really matters is the condition you are in at the first game. We are ready,” he said.
Alisson added: “This last cycle was hard; we felt it deeply. But everything started to get better once Ancelotti arrived. He has a very strong presence in the group and gives us tranquillity to work.”
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