Champions League glory, or the Premier League title? Liverpool 'choose both!' - Allsson defiant in trophy race

Liverpool FC via Getty Images
David Lynch12 March 2019

Alisson Becker insists Liverpool's promising Premier League position hasn't affected their desire to progress in the Champions League, declaring: "We choose both!"

The Reds sit just one point behind Manchester City in the English top-flight as they chase a first title in 29 years, but have the small matter of a European last-16 second leg meeting with Bayern Munich to consider on Wednesday evening.

A goalless clash at Anfield last month has set up a fascinating rematch at the Allianz Arena, and that is Alisson's sole focus for now, rather than any domestic matters.

Asked if Liverpool's league position would soften the blow of any potential exit tomorrow, Alisson said: “It doesn't change anything.

"We have our goals and we are fighting for it. We are always in the league and we are playing the Champions League as well.

Man City and Liverpool Premier League title race fixtures

1/3

“We are fighting in this, and the spirit of the team is a great thing. We are focusing on this next game, it is a challenge for us."

“We can't choose what we go for. Actually, we can choose, and we choose both. Two big competitions.

"Of course, the Premier League, it is a long time that Liverpool haven't won that, and never won it under that name. We will fight for both."

Tomorrow's game sees Alisson come up against Manuel Neuer, a player he describes as a 'reference' in terms of his own aim to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

But the Brazilian knows he will need to give everything to try and match the levels shown by his opposite number in recent years.

He added: “I can't compare myself with Neuer. He is one of the best in the last 10 years maybe he is the best one," he added.

AFP/Getty Images

"He has won everything and I'm just starting. He is a reference for me and is a great guy as well. I have played against him, playing against him is a dream come true. I don't think I can compare myself with him.

“This is a consequence of what we do on the pitch. In the training ground every day I will work hard. I know I have to work hard, I am part of a big club who have big plans and have big goals.

In Pictures | Champions League 2018-19 | Last-16 results

1/9

“I need to take this responsibility and take care of it. For this I need to give my best, 100 per cent on the pitch. To be the best in the world would be a consequence of this."

Liverpool were without talismanic centre-half Virgil van Dijk for the first leg of their meeting with Bayern, but will welcome him back from suspension on Wednesday evening.

And Alisson has no doubts over his Dutch colleague's importance.

Liverpool FC via Getty Images

He added: “It is great to play with him and all my team-mates. Our teams has so many players with a lot of quality but Van Dijk is a very, very important player for us in the way we play, he gives us consistency.

“Defending high balls at corners and set-pieces, he is important for us.

“It's very important he is available for the second game. Fabinho played well at centre-back but it isn't the same thing, he is a great midfielder and just a good centre-back. If you can have the best in each position that's always better."

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in