Alisson will hope his error at Leicester is just a footnote to first year with Liverpool.

... £67m man's turn showed it can still go wrong despite good start

• Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson made an error in the build-up to Leicester's goal
• His side still managed to win but £67million goalkeeper's moment was huge
• Elsewhere, Joe Gomez managed to impress for the visitors on Saturday 

Spending £67million doesn't get you what it once did. Not even the world's most expensive goalkeeper anymore.

But it really should mean you don't concede unless opposing teams do something pretty good.

Alisson has enjoyed a highly commendable start with Liverpool, imposing an authority between the posts Jurgen Klopp's side has been crying out for.

Alisson tried to turn in the box but was tackled by Kelechi Iheanacho in the build-up to a goal

He tried to recover from his error but Rachid Ghezzal eventually managed to score

Yet the Brazilian was the source of Leicester's goal at the King Power Stadium in a wholly avoidable episode. Inevitably emboldened by the success of his nonchalant chip over an onrushing Anthony Knockaert against Brighton, Alisson tried a Cruyff turn as Kelechi Iheanacho advanced. Except Iheanacho anticipated the move, stole possession, and squared for Rachid Ghezzal to tap in.

Alisson punched the post in anger. Somewhere in Turkey, Loris Karius might have allowed himself a smile.

Amid imperious displays by Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez, this was the first time Liverpool had conceded in the Premier League and it was clumsy and awkward. It invited pressure onto the visitors late in the game as Leicester searched with renewed energy for an equaliser.

Clearly, Alisson's role in Klopp's team is as instigator almost as much as stopper. He is asked to pass out from the back, to in essence add an extra outfield player. There are occupational hazards inherent. 'I take risks,' Alisson said after the Brighton game. 'Fans with heart problems have to be careful! But on the pitch I do not try to make fun of a rival. It is already calculated.'

The Brazilian goalkeeper shows his dejection following Ghezzal's goal on Saturday afternoon

He got his sums wrong against Leicester and the salvation for Liverpool is that they won three points anyway. Rather than those mistakes by Karius that will sadly define his career, this incident will be a footnote in the season come the finish. But it is a reminder of what can go wrong.

On the touchline Klopp swung his arms and pointed towards the top end of the pitch. Go long, he was telling his goalkeeper. It is a very difficult part of the game but Alisson must get the balance right.

In front of him Van Dijk was again superb, but Gomez stood out. The 21-year-old received a deserved call up to Gareth Southgate's England squad and should feature in both matches against Spain and Switzerland.

Iheanacho buat Stoke menderita

 

IHEANACHO menyudahkan jaringan keempat untuk City sambil disaksikan penjaga gol Stoke, Jakob Haugaard pada perlawanan malam tadi.

MANCHESTER – Dua gol disudahkan Kelechi Iheanacho pada minit ke-64 dan ke-74, disertai jaringan Fernando Reges serta Sergio Aguero meletakkan Stoke City dalam keadaan sengsara pada aksi saingan Liga Perdana England di Stadium Etihad malam tadi.

Kemenangan tersebut sekali gus me­rangsang lonjakan semangat kepada skuad bimbingan Manuel Pellegrini itu untuk menghadapi Real Madrid menjelang aksi saingan separuh akhir Liga Juara-Juara yang dijadualkan minggu depan.

Pada aksi perlawanan malam tadi, Manchester City terlebih dahulu terpaksa bekerja keras untuk mengawal pergerakan pemain Stoke yang ter­desak mendapatkan kemenangan selepas skuad bimbingan Mark Hughes itu dibelasah Tottenham Hotspur 4-0, Rabu lalu.

Bagaimanapun, kelekaan jentera pertahanan menyebabkan jaring gawang Stoke digegarkan City pada minit ke-35 menerusi ja­ringan Fernando.

The Citizens kemudian mengukuhkan kedudukan pada minit kecederaan babak pertama menerusi sepakan penalti yang disempurnakan Aguero.

Memasuki babak kedua, Stoke yang tampak goyah dalam usaha mengawal aksi serangan City ternyata gagal mengekang keghairahan skuad The Citizens menambah jaringan apabila Iheanacho menyudahkan jaringan selepas memanfaatkan hantaran dilakukan Pablo Zabaleta pada minit ke-64.

Selang 10 minit kemudian, City menambah derita Stoke apabila pemain kelahiran Nigeria itu sekali lagi menggegarkan jaring gawang skuad pelawat sejurus menerima hantaran Wilfried Bony.

Tiga mata yang diraih ke atas Stoke meletakkan City pada kedudukan tangga ketiga liga dengan kutipan keseluruhan 64 mata. - Agensi