What Alisson Becker told Claudio Taffarel about Liverpool future after 'very high' Saudi offers

What Alisson Becker told Claudio Taffarel about Liverpool future after 'very high' Saudi offers

Liverpool goalkeeping coach Claudio Taffarel has been speaking about the future of Alisson Becker

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker and goalkeeping coach Cláudio Taffarel (Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images )

Liverpool goalkeeping coach Claudio Taffarel expects Alisson Becker to snub any interest from Saudi Arabia this summer. He insists the Reds No.1 wants to continue at Anfield for the foreseeable future.

And the 1994 World Cup winner has also warned the incoming Giorgi Mamardashvili he will have a fight on his hands if he wants to dislodge the Brazilian next season.

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The 32-year-old who joined Liverpool from Roma for what was a world-record fee for a goalkeeper of £65m in 2018, has been outstanding at times this term as Arne Slot's team have wrapped up the Premier League title with four games to spare.

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The Brazil international has kept nine of the Reds' 14 clean sheets, which is a league high, and the shot-stopper is regarded around the AXA Training Centre as arguably the finest in his position in world football.

Such a reputation is what led to interest from the Saudi Arabian clubs last summer but the glovesman opted to remain on Merseyside to help new head coach Slot adjust following the departure of Jurgen Klopp.

And now the legendary Taffarel, who also works with the Liverpool star at international level, has suggested his compatriot has no intention of listening to any further advances from the lucrative Saudi Pro League.

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"The header goal (against West Brom to help secure Champion League qualification in 2021), that historic goal, the crying...It’s a very beautiful story, right?," Taffarel told ESPN Brasil.

"Ali wants to continue living this story. I saw that this wave of Saudi Arabia come with great opportunities, very high offers.

"But he always says: ‘Wow, I want to continue this story because I owe a lot to them here, and I want to continue this life here'.

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"I was impressed when I arrived. The admiration that the players have for him, the employees here, the [backroom staff] - both this one and Klopp's in the past - the board.

"He really is a very important figure here. Because of the history he has had here, on the field, right? Showing that in the games, important games."

Alisson will face increased competition for a spot in the team from Georgia international Mamardashvili next season, when he finally completes a £29m move from Valencia that was arranged last summer.

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Taffarel, though, thinks the 24-year-old has been signed with one eye on the future by Liverpool's recruitment department, adding: "The club made this option there (to sign Mamardashvili), I think a year ago, a year and a bit ago.

"This purchase of this young man, maybe a little for the future. But Alisson is a guy who is at a very high level. And even because of age, with experience, with will, you know? It will be very difficult for someone to come here and replace him, right?"

Alisson is expected to start when the new champions are hosted by Chelsea on Sunday afternoon at Stamford Bridge.

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