Harvey Elliott has joked that Alisson was to thank for Liverpool's 3-1 win over Southampton – after the Reds goalkeeper made a fairly radical change to his appearance.
The usually bearded shot-stopper went clean-shaven for his team's final game before the World Cup – where he'll line up between the sticks for Brazil as they chase their sixth global crown – and it seemed to the trick as he produced a number of fine saves to deny a spirited Saints side.
Of course, Alisson has been one of the very best in the business for several years now, but he was in... razor-sharp form at Anfield on Saturday.
And speaking to the club's official website after the victory, Elliott suggested hus 'keeper would have to keep busy in front of the bathroom mirror. The midfielder: joked:
"I think he’s going to have to shave his beard every game now!
"So many times he has kept us in the game and it’s nothing new from Alisson, to be honest. He’s an unbelievable ’keeper as well as an unbelievable human being, so we’re all very proud of him."
Elliott did have a word of warning for his outfield teammates, however. He continued:
"For us, he’s the best goalkeeper in the world, and to be playing alongside him and know you have that reassurance with him at the back in the goal is always a nice feeling – but sometimes we just need to make sure we’re there to help him out as well! But at the end of the day he’s, as I said, the best ’keeper in the world and sometimes that’s what you have to do."
Liverpool head into the World Cup break sixth in the Premier League after a disappointing first part of 2022/23; they return to action with a Carabao Cup Round Four clash away to Manchester City in the week leading up to Christmas.
