Bruce Grobbelaar has backed Alisson to break all Liverpool’s goalkeeping records.
And the former Anfield stopper, who was the Reds’ No.1 the last time they won the title 30 years ago, reckons he will be thrilled if or when the Brazilian climbs above himself and Ray Clemence in the history books.
Grobbelaar kept 267 clean sheets in 628 appearances for Liverpool.
He won six titles as the club dominated English football in the Eighties, as well as three FA Cups and a European Cup.
Clemence’s record stands at 323 clean sheets from 665 appearances, including a remarkable 28 in 42 matches in the 1978-79 season, a campaign in which he conceded just 16 goals.
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
By the time he left Anfield in 1981, Clemence had won five Division One titles, an FA Cup, three European Cups, two UEFA Cups and the Super Cup.
And while Alisson and his pals still have a long, long way to go to surpass, or even emulate, the success enjoyed by the teams Grobbelaar and Clemence played in, on an individual basis the 27-year-old has built himself a good platform with 40 clean sheets in 79 appearances.
Grobbelaar said: “If Alisson stays at Liverpool long enough he could break all the records that myself and Ray Clemence achieved.
“If he wants to stay at Anfield for a long time he will break all the records for sure and I would love him to do that.
“Alisson is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in the world and he deserves to be put on that pedestal.
“Him and Manuel Neuer are probably the best two when it comes to angles — those two are the very best in the world at getting their angles right, they don’t have to dive because they aren’t out of position.
“They are in the right place at the right time and they move their feet very, very well.”
Unsurprisingly, Grobbelaar loves what Virgil van Dijk brings to his old side as well.
(Image: Getty Images)
He added: “I played behind Phil Thompson and Alan Hansen, and they were both brilliant centre-halves.
“With Thommo, Jockey had to work a little bit harder because when Thommo made a mistake, he had to cover up quite a lot.
“When Thommo left, Jockey took up his role and we had Mark Lawrenson, who was quick, he had brilliant speed.
“Now with Van Dijk, you have a cool head like a Hansen but he’s that quick like Lawrenson — he is both rolled into one.
(Image: Getty Images)
“But what he does with his other centre-halves and other defenders is make them much better, and that’s the quality of Virgil van Dijk.
“Whoever plays next to him is going to get better. Look at the two full-backs, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson.
“They have gone up in their abilities and their prices have skyrocketed because he controls and makes them better.
“As a goalkeeper, playing behind a player like that is brilliant.
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“Alisson must be licking his lips every time he goes out and has Virgil in front of him.”
- Bruce Grobbelaar was speaking on behalf of The Conservation Games, a first-of-its-kind initiative from the Zambesia Conservation Alliance. To watch Bruce in action, visit and subscribe to The Conservation Games on YouTube.
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