Liverpool are 'very close' to agreeing a contract extension with number one goalkeeper Alisson Becker, according to a report.
The Brazil international put in the self-proclaimed best performance of his career on Wednesday night, making an astonishing nine saves in the Reds' 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash.
Alisson's nine stops saw the 32-year-old set a new record for the most saves by a Liverpool goalkeeper in a Champions League game since data became available, while also representing his most in one match for the Reds.
The former Roma man has been beset with increasingly frequent injury problems over the past couple of seasons, but he continues to prove his worth to the Premier League leaders when fully fit and remains their undisputed first choice.
However, Alisson's contract situation is a slight unwelcome distraction, as he will enter the final two years of his agreement this summer and has not signed on the dotted line since the summer of 2021.
Liverpool 'very close' to renewing Alisson deal
© Imago
The South American has inevitably been linked with a big-money transfer to the Saudi Pro League, especially with Giorgi Mamardashvili due to arrive at Anfield from Valencia at the end of the season, but he has already insisted that he has no plans to leave before 2027 at the earliest.
Now, Fichajes claims that Liverpool are now 'very close' to striking a deal with Alisson to extend his contract, having 'fought' to ward off interest from clubs both in Europe and further afield.
The report adds that Liverpool see Alisson's extension as a necessity due to the goalkeeper being a 'reference point' for their sporting project, thereby making them an attractive option for prospective players.
Alisson has been Liverpool's first-choice goalkeeper since his £52.5m transfer from Roma in 2018, and the 32-year-old has now recorded 126 clean sheets in 289 appearances for the Merseyside giants.
The Premier League and Champions League winner will be bidding to register his 10th Premier League shut-out of the season when Arne Slot's side host bottom-of-the-table Southampton on Saturday afternoon.
How are Liverpool progressing with other contract extensions?
© Imago
News of Alisson apparently being close to signing a new contract will no doubt be music to the ears of Liverpool supporters, but there has been a distinct lack of movement on the Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold front recently.
Dialogue is still believed to be ongoing with the agents of all three players, but with their focus on the final few weeks of the campaign, it would not be a surprise to see the saga drag on until the summer.
Van Dijk and Salah are thought to be keen to extend their deals if the right terms can be agreed, but Alexander-Arnold's situation is more complicated due to Real Madrid's interest in the right-back.
Los Blancos are understood to have seen an approach turned down for Alexander-Arnold at the start of the January transfer window, and they remain hopeful of signing him as a free agent should he choose to run down his contract.
Ben Knapton
