Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has admitted that while the current team under Arne Slot is performing impressively, they are still not on the same level as the all-conquering side that dominated under Jurgen Klopp, winning both the Champions League and Premier League.
Slot has been making a significant impact at Anfield, with Liverpool sitting six points clear at the top of the Premier League, ahead of second-placed Arsenal, and with a game in hand.
Despite this promising position, Alisson, one of the few players remaining from the previous title-winning squad, believes the current side still has much to prove.
When asked if this season compares to 2019-20, when Liverpool secured their first league title in three decades, the Brazil international acknowledged the success but emphasised that they have yet to reach the heights of the previous team.
“I don’t think it’s too similar, it’s two different teams. A few players still play in the team but we have a little bit different style now,” the Brazil international said.
“More ball possession, before it was really straightforward: a lot of transition, a lot of intensity.
“That team was really special, we achieved great things, it was the first Premier League title for this club in a long time. We achieved the Champions League together as well.
“I think there’s no comparison with both situations.
“Just what makes me happy is to see that in this group of players, we have the quality to do something special and the most important thing is the commitment that is needed to win something is there, and the passion, the desire.
“We are hungry and we want to win every game in front of us and that we have in front of us and that’s all we are focused on at the moment.
“I believe we don’t have to compare ourselves with the teams in the past, we have to create our own history.
“This season, this group has to create its own history.
“With the players who came in, they brought a lot of quality, and what we are doing, what we can do, we’re not going to erase the things we did in the past that were really special and will always be in the history of this club.”
He added: “I think when Arne joined the club, everybody thought it would be hard work for him to replace a manager like Jurgen.
“But he’s showing his qualities and he brings us a lot of good things. I think it’s not only one key, but many things that are helping us to achieve our goals. I want to highlight the commitment of this team, of the players, to do what the manager asks.
“Also to go every day and train hard and have the desire to improve as well, to be a better team and the desire of winning big things for this club. So that will always be an important point for a team that wants to be a winner.”
Drawing from his years at the club, Alisson believes that previous title winners – who have also endured challenging seasons – can leverage both their successes and setbacks to guide them in their pursuit of glory
“We have a few players that are playing here long enough, that experienced the highest peak of maybe the Jurgen Klopp era – and the lowest as well,” he said.
“So all these kinds of things you can use as a boost of energy.
“We know that in the future we’re going to remember more about the good moments now that you had together in football.
“Winning is not everything, of course, but it’s a big part of football so I want to remember this team as a winning team.
“All the experiences that we have, it’s good to think about that.
“The good things and the bad things, the good moments and the bad moments, they will teach you.
“The bad moments I think they will teach a lot. So, yes, we can take a lot of lessons from last season.”
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