“I hope he was here to see it. I am sure he is celebrating.”
Alisson became just the sixth goalkeeper to score in Premier League history on Sunday night, after he directed a thumping header past West Brom keeper Sam Johnstone in the dying moments at the Hawthorns.
The Baggies had taken the lead through Hal Robson-Kanu before Mo Salah levelled the scoring, but Liverpool struggled to get a second goal until their goalkeeper took it upon himself to join the attack for a late corner.
It seemed that no West Brom defenders noticed his arrival, as the Brazilian found himself unmarked to head Trent Alexander-Arnold’s whipped cross past Johnstone to secure three vital points for Liverpool in their fight for the top four.
🗣 There is nothing better in football than a goalkeeper scoring a late winner
What a header from Alisson 👏 https://t.co/Rq7S25gSB4
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) May 16, 2021
In his post-match interview, the 28-year-old was overcome with emotion as he spoke about his late father, who was died in February. An autopsy confirmed José Becker had drowned.
Alisson was unable to attend the funeral due to coronavirus restrictions, and so – like many people over the past 15 months – missed out on the process of closure that a funeral provides when grieving a loved one.
“I’m too emotional. These last months, after everything that happened with me, with my family,” he told Sky Sports after the game.
“But football is my life. I have played since I can remember as a human being, with my father.
“I hope he was here to see it. I am sure he is celebrating,” he added.
A very moving post match interview from Alisson, after an incredibly difficult year for him personally
What a man ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Z4H3kXO2QK
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) May 16, 2021
Alisson went on to explain his decision to go up for the corner by saying: “I tried to look at the bench, but nobody called me. Then Johnny Achterberg [goalkeeper coach] called me with conviction.
“It was the perfect time, the cross was brilliant, again. I tried ti put my head on it and think it was one of the best goals I’ve ever scored,” he added with a chuckle.
🗣 "I don't have too many words."
Alisson Becker explains the emotions that went through his mind when he scored pic.twitter.com/6eEvyhjn7b
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) May 16, 2021
