Alisson sends clear message to Arne Slot and new Liverpool signing Giorgi Marmadashvili

Liverpool star Alisson celebrated his 32nd birthday with a 2-0 win over Bologna in the Champions League, with the goalkeeper producing a fine performance to keep a clean sheet

While the Liverpool futures of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk remain uncertain, Alisson is one thirtysomething who is going nowhere.

Alisson, now minus his trademark beard, marked his 32nd birthday with a performance on his 50th European appearance for Liverpool to show he still has plenty in the tank.

He was busier than Liverpool fans would have liked at Anfield and he made a crucial save to push Kacper Urbanski’s shot wide before he blocked Riccardo Orsolini’s drive to preserve Liverpool’s lead.

The Brazilian was a calming presence in those mad few minutes in the first half when Dan Ndoye hit the bar and then a post for Bologna as Liverpool lost their composure.

Alisson also demonstrated his distribution skills when he released Salah on the right from a superb quickly-taken goalkick, which the Egyptian star squandered.

He has been part of Liverpool’s backbone since the Reds made him the world’s most-expensive goalkeeper when they signed him from Roma in 2018 for £66.8million.

First, it was him, Van Dijk, Fabinho and Salah and now MacAllister has replaced the Brazilian in midfield. Liverpool have already signed Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Marmadashvili from Valencia as Alisson’s long-term replacement.

Image: Aitor Alcalde Colomer /Getty Images) Aitor Alcalde Colomer /Getty Images)

Marmadashvili will arrive at Anfield next summer after spending this season on loan at Valencia and he should make the most of his playing time because Alisson is in no mood to make way.

Alisson says he turned down big-money moves to Saudi Arabia in the summer and he feels far from finished at Liverpool. He still has more silverware he wants to lift with Liverpool as one of their dwindling band of survivors from their Champions League and Premier League successes.

He feels energised, like all his team-mates, by Arne Slot’s arrival and Marmadashvili may have to spend some time on the bench before he feels satisfied.

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