Jurgen Klopp expects Alisson to make instant impact

Liverpool boss explains his new goalkeeper ‘is very calm and laid back — and that helps’

Alisson Becker is expected to start the season in the Liverpool goal. Photograph: Jan Kruger/Getty Images
Alisson Becker is expected to start the season in the Liverpool goal. Photograph: Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has every faith new goalkeeper Alisson Becker will settle quickly into the Premier League.

The Brazil international was, until Chelsea signed Kepa Arrizabalaga this week, the world's most expensive goalkeeper following his £65million move from Roma.

His recruitment is seen as a key piece of business for Liverpool, strengthening an area which has been open to criticism for several years.

Alisson came to pre-season training later than the main group because of his involvement in the World Cup and has played just two friendlies against Napoli and Torino in the last six days.

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However, Klopp has no worries about the 25-year-old making an instant impact.

“Just be a goalkeeper. Be yourself, in this case, because he is very calm and laid back — and that helps,” said the Reds boss ahead of Sunday’s visit of West Ham.

“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.”

One player who has impressed in pre-season is Daniel Sturridge, who appears to have safeguarded his future at the club for the time being at least.

At the end of the previous campaign, Liverpool were prepared to listen to offers of £20m for the injury-prone striker but that situation has now changed.

“He’s still here, and he played a good pre-season. He could do a lot of the sessions, to be honest,” added Klopp.

“I can’t remember a bad game off him in pre-season, which is good. I said it 500 times already; when Daniel is fit, nobody doubts him. I do not.

“He’s here, he’s in a good shape, hopefully he can bring that into the season.”

While Liverpool were the summer's biggest spenders with a £170m outlay West Ham spent £61m on five players, including the club-record signing of Felipe Anderson for £40m and the acquisition of free agent Jack Wilshere.

They also have a new manager in Manuel Pellegrini, the former Manchester City boss.

“One of the very, very successful managers on this planet. He knows how football goes, so he’s a really good tactician and coach. That changes a lot of things,” said Klopp of his counterpart.

“If you go through the West Ham team, it could be completely different.

“It could be Arnautovic in the ‘9’, Yarmolenko and Felipe Anderson wide or Chicharito striker with Arnautovic behind in the ‘10’.

“Behind them, Wilshere and Noble or whoever, then a new full-back, Cresswell back. It’s just a good football team.

“They are ambitious, clearly. People expect that we win, and we expect the same, but we know that between now and then there are 95 brutal minutes, and we have to be ready for that.

“It’s easy not to underestimate West Ham. Analysis is pretty non-existent at this stage, but no problem. I’m still looking forward to it.”