Liverpool superstar rejects move to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr: Reports
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has reportedly turned down the opportunity to join Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr. The Saudi Pro League giants are looking for a new shot-stopper after David Ospina's departure.
Football Insider reports that Alisson rejected a 'massive' offer to leave Anfield and join Ronaldo at Al-Awwal Park. The Saudi heavyweights have turned their attention to Juventus' Wojciech Szczesny after being snubbed by the Brazilian.
Alisson, 31, has three years left on his contract and is still Liverpool's No.1. He was vital for Jurgen Klopp last season, keeping 11 clean sheets in 32 games across competitions.
The 64-cap Brazil international struggled with fitness issues, missing 17 games due to various injuries. He's set to stay put at Liverpool for a sixth year after joining the Merseysiders from AS Roma in July 2018 for £67 million.
The Reds were eager to swoop 'one of the world's best' in Alisson in 2018. Klopp (via the club's official website):
"The opportunity to sign one of the world’s best goalkeepers - then it’s not a long thought, to be honest, it’s only that you need to have a little talk with the owners! They were quite excited, so we did it."
Alisson will likely be the new manager of Arne Slot's undisputed No.1, and speculation is growing over Caoimhin Kelleher. The 25-year-old Irish goalkeeper is being linked with a departure after serving as backup to the Brazilian.
The Selecao star could have been reunited with Sadio Mane at Al-Nassr. The former Liverpool superstar joined Cristiano Ronaldo in the Middle East last summer and has been a mainstay in Luis Castro's XI.
"A bit Cristiano Ronaldo-esque" - David James compared Liverpool's Alisson to the Al-Nassr superstar
Alisson has long been regarded as one of world football's greatest goalkeepers. His shot-stopping abilities and composure on the ball have made him one of the toughest shot-stoppers to come up against.
The former Roma goalkeeper has so many strengths that it's difficult to find fault with him. He's made 263 appearances at Anfield, keeping 114 clean sheets, crucial as the Merseysiders have won seven major trophies.
David James waxed lyrical about Alisson four years ago by comparing him to Cristiano Ronaldo. The former Liverpool goalkeeper told The Blood Red podcast how the Brazilian always performs at a high level:
"In the end it’s about biology and whether you are capable of going further and faster and higher but with Alisson, you are looking at a keeper who everything he does is so good. He might be a bit Cristiano Ronaldo-esque in the sense that he doesn’t have to do something exceptional to still be at the highest level."
Cristiano Ronaldo, 39, has continuously performed at the highest level and is rolling back the years at Al-Nassr. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner struck 44 goals and 13 assists in 45 games across competitions last season. He's the greatest goalscorer at club and international level.