Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker insisted his players are not machines capable of performing at a consistent top level after their poor performance in Tuesday’s 1-0 win at Girona.
Manager Arne Sloat was not satisfied with his side’s performance in Spain, despite the Reds remaining top of the Champions League with six wins out of six games and on the verge of progressing to the last 16 without playing a game. In the round.
Slot felt his side lacked intensity, especially in the first half when Alisson was forced to play more times than expected as he returns to the side after missing 11 games with a hamstring injury.
“I’m part of a winning team,” he told LiverpoolFC.com.
“During the season we saw many teams win trophies but none of them performed at their best.
“Of course we are not machines and we are going to have bad days. But the good thing about football is that you have another opportunity in three days.
“We have to prepare ourselves (for Fulham on Saturday), not be angry or happy about the points, but acknowledge that we have to improve.
“It’s not something we have to create anew. Look at the good things we did in the games against Manchester City and Real Madrid (both 2-0 wins) and continue to do that.
“It’s good to see players coming back from injuries now. Myself, Diogo (Jota), (Federico) Chiesa. Macca (Alexis Mac Allister) is suspended, but everyone is ready to make a difference.”
But the Brazilian goalkeeper, who was highly critical of the number of games his players are required to play earlier this season, said it is a sign of a successful team that they find a way to win when they are not at their best.
Alisson’s reputation as perhaps the best goalkeeper in the world meant Slot had no hesitation in inserting him straight in after a nine-week absence, despite Associate Professor Caoimhin Kelleher keeping five clean sheets in 11 games.
Slot is hoping the 32-year-old’s injury problems are behind him as he has missed 18 weeks of football in 2024 due to hamstring and thigh problems.
“It’s nice to be back.” Alisson added: “Honestly, I was looking forward to this moment after nine weeks of unbelievably hard work.
“It was so worth it to get back on the pitch, every minute, every session and have that feeling of performing well and helping the team get points and clean sheets.
“When you’re away for so long, I just appreciate everything you’ve done and the people you’ve worked alongside me. All the boys were fantastic.
“I wanted it to be perfect for us. Perfection means three points and a clean sheet for the goalkeeper.
“Of course, I think the performance could have been better with or without the ball. But I’m happy anyway because it was hard to come back, and I want to maintain this feeling and enjoy every game. Please continue to stay healthy.”
At the other end of the pitch, it was another disappointing night for Darwin Nunez, who has scored just three goals all season and one in his last 10.
“He’s missed a few opportunities, and that always raises the question: Is this related to low confidence or is it just the situation he’s in now,” Slot said.
“I think for every striker in the world there are times when every ball goes in and sometimes you try too hard and you don’t score.
“I wanted to see Darwin score because I think every striker wants to score and needs goals. So I kept him for quite some time. “He was a threatening player, but unfortunately he failed to score,” he said.
