It was a comfortable opening weekend victory for Liverpool against West Ham.
Goals from Mohamed Salah, a Sadio Mane brace and Daniel Sturridge’s strike gave Jurgen Klopp’s side a 4-0 victory at Anfield.
Supporters also got the chance to catch a glimpse of new signings Naby Keita and Alisson, while Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri were named on the substitutes bench.
Keita impressed immensely in midfield, while Alisson was barely forced into making a save.
But that didn’t stop Liverpool fans from realising how important the Brazilian goalkeeper is to their side.
Whenever the ball was played back to the former Roma ‘keeper, he showed an incredible calmness on the ball.
Alisson wasn’t fazed whenever he was closed down and helped to build attacks from the back, rather than just hoofing the ball clear.
That’s crucial to the way Klopp wants his Liverpool side to play.
With the four defenders – Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez – all comfortable on the ball, it allowed the side to start attacks from defence.
And that’s what kept happening time and time again – especially in the first-half.
Alisson would be closed down by the West Ham forwards but he stayed calm to draw them in before popping the ball off to a teammate to begin yet another attack.
LIVERPOOL FANS REACT TO ALISSON
And Liverpool fans realised just how important Alisson is to their side – despite barely making a save.
Hasn’t had a save to make yet, so won’t get carried away, but you can see how Alisson impacts our ability to play the ball out of the back and build up moves early #LFC
— Take a Hike 13 (@TakeAHike13) August 12, 2018
That composure from Alisson was key in the build up to that goal. #LFC
— Umbongo (@LfcUmbongo) August 12, 2018
One note. Alisson’s distribution is brilliant. So confident with the ball at his feet.
— Jared Adultman (@Oh_My_Gos) August 12, 2018
Alisson’s distribution under pressure is pin point. #lfc
— MarkyB⚽ (@markyb_lfc9) August 12, 2018
Alisson could be the signing of the season, his distribution from the back has been excellent. And his positioning has been superb
— kris anfield (@atthekop) August 12, 2018
Klopp was certainly in no doubt that the ‘keeper would fit straight into the Premier League.
“Just be a goalkeeper. Be yourself, in this case, because he is very calm and laid back – and that helps,” the Liverpool boss said.
“It’s about making the right decisions in the right moments. It’s all good. He’s settled really quick, as if he’s been here longer than two weeks. That’s all fine.”
It looks like Liverpool have finally found the perfect goalkeeper after enduring both Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet in recent years.