EPL

Liverpool improving despite underwhelming Premier League start, Alisson claims

By Sports Desk September 04, 2022

Alisson believes Liverpool are improving despite making their worst start to a Premier League season under Jurgen Klopp, after the Reds were held to a frustrating Merseyside derby draw by Everton.

After missing several clear-cut opportunities in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Goodison Park, Liverpool have picked up just nine points from their first six games of the campaign – their lowest tally since they claimed eight under Brendan Rodgers in 2015-16.

Liverpool's 25th Premier League outing of 2022 was also the first in which they failed to find the net, with Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz both hitting the woodwork amid an inspired performance from Toffees goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

The England goalkeeper's tally of eight saves against the Reds is the highest he has ever recorded while keeping a Premier League clean sheet.

Alisson was also forced into fine saves by Neal Maupay and Dwight McNeil in a lively encounter, but has chose to remain upbeat about Liverpool's performances.

"We are really focused on getting the victories back. It was really important we won the last game [against Newcastle United on Wednesday]," he told the club's official website.

"Not always do you get the results that you want, but you have to fight for that. You need to have consistency in your performances, and we are getting there. 

"We are improving in respect of the last games we had, each game we are improving a step.

"Players are coming back from injuries, so that is really important and that is the good side of everything."

Asked whether Liverpool had done enough to come away with the three points against Everton, the Brazil international added: "We didn't win, so the answer is not.

"But we did quite well, we improved our performance in respect of the last matches. We created chances, so many clear chances. 

"We could have scored, but the opponent as well had their opportunities.

"We defended well, enough to keep the clean sheet – that is the common goal for the team, we work hard for that. For today, we get a point and just keep on going."

Liverpool will turn their attentions to the Champions League when they travel to Napoli on Wednesday, before hosting Wolves in their next Premier League fixture on Saturday.

Related items

  • France 37-23 Argentina: Les Bleus wrap up campaign with third win France 37-23 Argentina: Les Bleus wrap up campaign with third win

    France posted a comfortable 37-23 win over Argentina on Friday to make it three wins out of three tests at the Stade de France to conclude their Autumn Nations Series. 

    Having also beaten New Zealand and Japan in Paris this month, Fabien Galthie's side claimed four tries, including a superb solo effort from Louis Bielle-Biarrey, as they eased to victory against the Pumas. 

    The hosts led 30-9 at the break after Argentina's Julian Montoya and Juan Martin Gonzalez were both shown yellow cards in the first half, with Thomas Ramos slotting his third penalty of the game. 

    Tomas Albornoz made it 30-16 for Felipe Contepomi's visitors, but their hopes of a comeback were dashed as Bielle-Biarrey scored his fourth try in three games before Ramos made it 37-16. 

    Albornoz then cut the deficit to 37-23 with a two-pointer with nine minutes to play, but that wasn't enough to stop his side from falling to a defeat. 

    "We knew it was going to be an 80-minute game. We saw last week how Argentina went all the way against a good Irish team," France lock Emmanuel Meafou told TNT Sports. 

    "We are happy with the win. We have three from three [in the autumn] and we will look to build on that in the Six Nations next year."

  • Plymouth Argyle 2-2 Watford: Two-goal Gray rescues point for Rooney's side Plymouth Argyle 2-2 Watford: Two-goal Gray rescues point for Rooney's side

    Andre Gray scored twice against his former club to salvage a point for struggling Plymouth Argyle as they drew 2-2 with Watford on Friday. 

    Gray curled in an equaliser in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time to seal a crucial point for Wayne Rooney's side in their bid for survival in the Championship. 

    The visitors made a quick start at Home Park when Ivorian striker Vakoun Bayo bundled in a cross from Yasser Larouci only eight minutes in. 

    Plymouth did, however, equalise against the run of play in the 23rd minute when Lewis Gibson's long ball into the box was met with a spectacular volley from Gray. 

    Watford regained the lead before the break when Imran Louza's free-kick was knocked back by Mattie Pollock, with centre-back Ryan Porteous on hand to steer the ball home. 

    But just as it looked like Watford would go home with all three points, Gray picked up the ball on the edge of the area and fired home a stunning effort beyond Daniel Bachmann. 

    Tom Cleverley's Watford sit in fifth place and trail leaders Sunderland by five points, while Plymouth are 17th with 17 points from 16 matches. 

  • Bayern Munich 3-0 Augsburg: Hat-trick hero Kane smashes Bundesliga record Bayern Munich 3-0 Augsburg: Hat-trick hero Kane smashes Bundesliga record

    Harry Kane scored a hat-trick to become the quickest player to score 50 Bundesliga goals as Bayern Munich comfortably dispatched Augsburg 3-0 on Friday. 

    Kane opened the scoring in the 63rd with a penalty before netting a quickfire double in second-half stoppage time to smash the record previously held by Erling Haaland. 

    Despite controlling the early possession, Bayern were unable to make their dominance count, with Nediljko Labrovic rarely troubled in the opening 45 minutes. 

    The hosts maintained their dominance after the interval, with Leon Goretzka's looped header grazing the crossbar before Jamal Musiala went close soon after. 

    However, Bayern were awarded a penalty after a lengthy VAR review saw Mads Pedersen penalised for handling the ball, with Kane stepping up to score from 12 yards. 

    The England captain grabbed his second of the game in the third-minute of stoppage time following another VAR review which saw Keven Schlotterbeck sent off after tripping Kane inside the box. 

    Kane sent Labrovic the wrong way but was not to be denied a fourth treble of the season, brilliantly taking down Goretzka's searching ball before heading the ball home. 

    Data Debrief: HurriKane

    Kane has now scored 50 Bundesliga goals in 43 matches. Before him, Haaland was the quickest player to reach 50 Bundesliga goals, having done so in 50 appearances in the competition for Borussia Dortmund.

    He is also the quickest to reach that total for Bayern by some distance. Kane has reached that tally quicker than the likes of Gerd Muller (83 games), Mario Gomez (71 games), Roy Makaay (67 games) and Robert Lewandowski (64 games). 

    10 of Kane’s goals have come from penalties, while 32 of them have been with his right foot, nine with his left and nine with his head.

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.