Alisson Becker

Alisson Becker hadn't needed to make a save in his first two appearances at the 2022 World Cup but he was far busier in Brazil's 4-1 win over South Korea.

[the visitors were Brighton and Hove Albion](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-player-ratings-brighton-firmino-25154205). The Reds’ performance in that match was so shaky that it forced [Jurgen Klopp](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/exclusive-billy-koumetio-lifts-lid-25674240) to move away from his side’s tried and trusted 4-3-3 formation and towards variations on a 4-4-2 theme. It’s a figure that has only been topped four times in Europe’s top five leagues in any of the last three completed campaigns. Far better was to come four months later, when [Barcelona visited Anfield for a Champions League semi-final](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/liverpool-barcelona-champions-league-anfield-16240912) clash. And Alisson’s latest tricky match with his national team might be a footstep on the road to becoming a World Cup winner. [Liverpool](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc), Alisson has only had six games in which the opposition’s finishing improved their shots by at least 1.1 xG. Darwin Nunez’ three chances that night were valued at 0.38 xG, but he was able to generate a post-shot total of 1.16 and collected a goal for his trouble. In other words, the power and placement of the efforts added 1.1 to the value of the opportunities. But had it not been for the brilliance of Alisson, who successfully dealt with a remarkable 2.6 post-shot expected goals, the Reds would have needed to score even more times. But that wasn’t the case in the Round of 16 on Monday evening. He could’ve worn the same kit for both matches, such was his relative lack of involvement. Across his first two appearances at the 2022 World Cup, against Serbia and Switzerland, he didn’t face a single shot on target.