You’ll Never Walk Alone. It’s a famous saying that forms the beating heart of Liverpool Football Club. There’s a feeling of belonging that radiates through the team and the fans, binding them together. It’s a feeling that Alisson Becker has learned to love over his tenure in between the sticks for the Reds.
Since joining Liverpool, Alisson has established himself as one of the best keepers in world football. His arrival, along with stalwart Virgil Van Dijk, proved to be the catalyst that fired the Reds to glory not just on the domestic stage, but on the European and World stage too. For the Brazilian there’s a special feeling around Anfield; a feeling of family and of togetherness, something that is perfectly balanced with his personal beliefs. It’s a feeling that’s particularly evident on European nights at Anfield, where the unexplainable aura of the club as a whole almost becomes tangible, often counting as that extra factor, tipping the odds in the Reds' favour. Normally, goalkeeper can be a lonely position on the pitch, but for Alisson, he never feels alone when the fans are roaring the team on, as he explained to us when we sat down with him recently.
It’s a match day and you arrive at Anfield and the floodlights are on – can you explain what makes that so special for you?
For me, every game is of course special. It is something I live for. Obviously if you can add some atmosphere to the occasion … the crowd makes it even more special. Last season was such proof of that. I always enjoy going through the hard work that is playing a match. That intensity is different. Playing for Liverpool particularly, like no other club, is special.
That comparison between this season and last – one without fans in the stadium, another back with them – what was that like to experience?
It really is huge. It’s like having life and not having life. Sometimes you are so involved and focused on the game that you don’t notice everything that is happening around in your surroundings but when you play without the fans, the grounds were so silent in the stadiums, you could feel that emptiness. When you have the crowd with you, you get a genuine extra push. For yourself, for your teammates, for your whole team. I definitely believe that the supporters play such a big role. They really are a twelfth player.
How much do you enjoy the preparation before a game, before you’ve even got to the stadium – putting your tracksuit on, fresh shoes – does that help you get your head in the right place?
Yeah I think it’s at that time that you create a mood for yourself. Everyone has a different approach and the way they like to do things. For example some players are very superstitious. I’m not but I do like to do some things the same way because it makes me feel good. I like to listen to music more than anything as that brings me into the right mood for the game. It makes me ready. It’s like someone going to the gym and listening to music that motivates them. Music can give you that boost to help you work harder. I like to have a routine but more because it puts me in a good place to do well in the game.
The phrase 'You’ll never walk alone' is so powerful. When we score and you see a picture of me on my own, celebrating, I see all the supporters and fans celebrating with me too. It’s such a good feeling. The noise is something that truly moves you."
What are you listening to on your way to Anfield?
I listen to a lot of gospel. Things like Maverick City music, some Brazilian gospel singers. As well as that I like to put some music on that has an electric guitar involved. I like that energy. Then we have all the music in the changing room or on the bus. That’s its own energy, which is just right before kick off.
Touching on gospel – it’s not something you hear every footballer talking about. What kind of headspace does that put you in? Is it calming?
For me, it’s more about how music plays with your spirit. It’s not something you necessarily think about so much but it’s something you feel. We are a body, we have a soul, we are spirits. I think music can move your spirit and your mood. I think that’s a good thing. When I listen to some worship songs, that plays together with my faith and in what I believe. I believe that god gave me the power to do all that I have and in return I will do everything for him. Listening to this kind of music makes me think and remember my beliefs. The lyrics can be powerful and hearing about the greatness of god can make me feel relaxed and confident at the same time.
Fans lining the streets, flags waving, such noise in the stadium – how emotional does it become for you, especially when you couple that with the music you just talked about?
It’s such a special feeling. When you see all the kids and they are so excited for the day. Sometimes you see kids on the street wearing the goalkeeper kit – which is not so normal in football – it’s incredible.
Usually they’d want Bobby’s, Mo’s, Sadio’s or Virgil’s shirt. I really appreciate when kids wear the goalie shirt, not just because it’s about me but because it is something different. There are ten other players on the pitch whose shirt they could choose to wear and only one choice for a goalkeeper. I think in that way, kids are very honest with their opinions. Seeing that way of thinking, gives me a good message and says that I’m making an impact that goes beyond the pitch.
You must experience that roar like no other player on the pitch – what’s it like to be so close, in front of The Kop for 45 minutes?
The phrase “You’ll never walk alone” is so powerful. When we score and you see a picture of me on my own, celebrating, I see all the supporters and fans celebrating with me too. It’s such a good feeling. The noise is something that truly moves you. It pushes you and gives you even more drive. It gives you energy and focus. From where I am on the pitch, I can feel that intensity. If we can count on that unique support from the fans, I know we’ll have an extra player with us on the pitch.
The Liverpool supporters are a real family. When you go out onto the pitch at Anfield, do you ever see the same faces and start to build connections with fans in that way?
Yes, you do. Yesterday I saw a picture of all the fans in The Kop and I saw a little boy in the picture and it’s funny because I know his voice. I can always hear him when I’m on the pitch. I’m always listening to him. I think if I was in the city centre and I heard him shouting my name, I would recognise him. It’s nice when I look back because when I look back he’ll always be smiling and say hello.
It really is a sense of family. We all want to do well together. That boy is always with his father too so it’s nice to see that relationship – it’s a beautiful feeling around the club. That connection between father and son is beautiful. When I was growing up, I supported the team that I never knew but my father was a supporter of this team – football is so unique like that.
European nights really are special. This club is made by so many achievements, so many trophies and so many top players but I think what is most remarkable are those nights and occasions you just don’t forget because they stay in the memories of both the supporters and the players."
You must have fulfilled so many dreams when it comes to what you’ve achieved with Liverpool. Aside from finals, what European nights stand out the most for you when you think back?
European nights really are special. This club is made by so many achievements, so many trophies and so many top players but I think what is most remarkable are those nights and occasions you just don’t forget because they stay in the memories of both the supporters and the players. The Premier League win was so special. There was so much anticipation and it was such a milestone movement, it became a new part of the club’s history, it was unbelievable. European nights though, they are a whole other feeling. I always dreamed of winning the Champions League. You want to win the league of course but as a kid in Brazil, it made me want to come here to play in the Champions League. When you play in it and win it too – it’s truly unbelievable.
That taste of success must make you want to come back for more…
Yeah it’s like nothing else. Once you’ve experienced it you just want more. It’s like good food, if you’ve tasted something you love, you’ll go for another taste [laughs]. For me, it’s about getting that feeling of celebration again. We all want to experience that all over again.
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