Journalist: Liverpool star expected to stay after transfer U-turn | OneFootball

Alisson Becker Stay Gives Liverpool One Vital Point of Stability

Liverpool’s summer already looks crowded with difficult decisions, but the discussion around Alisson Becker on Anfield Index’s Media Matters podcast pointed to one outcome that now appears essential, the goalkeeper staying at Anfield next season.

Dave Davis raised reports around Alisson’s future with Lewis Steele, noting suggestions that “Liverpool have blocked Allison’s exit” and asking whether, with Ibrahima Konate also going, the club would simply have to “put their foot down” and say, “No, we can’t afford it.”

Steele’s answer was immediate. “Yeah, I think they’re going to have to, aren’t they?” he said.

For Liverpool, that response captured the wider mood. With major senior figures already leaving or expected to leave, allowing Alisson to depart would create another problem in a squad that already needs significant work.

Lewis Steele says Liverpool cannot allow another major exit

Steele placed Alisson’s situation in the context of Liverpool’s wider leadership and experience drain. “As we’ve mentioned, they’ve already lost three big names this summer,” he said. “They can’t afford that to be a fourth surely.”

That was the central point. Liverpool are dealing with exits involving high profile, experienced players, and Alisson remains one of the few established leaders left in Arne Slot’s squad.

Earlier in the podcast, Steele had said that Salah, Robertson and Konate represented “a thousand games between them for Liverpool.” He added, “That experience is hard to replace.”

Alisson therefore represents more than just elite goalkeeping quality. He is part of the remaining spine, part of the dressing room structure and part of the senior group Liverpool can least afford to weaken further.

Juventus interest and future compromise discussed

Davis mentioned that there was “a new offer at the table” and referred to talk around “a 13 million deal.” Steele did not dismiss the idea that Alisson’s longer term future could still be addressed, but he suggested any solution should be delayed.

“With Allison, does he sort of shake hands under the table with Juventus on going next summer instead?” Steele asked. “If that was possible, I think that would make a lot of sense for all parties.”

Photo: IMAGO

That line framed the most realistic compromise discussed in the podcast. Liverpool keep Alisson for next season, protecting Arne Slot from another senior exit, while the player may still have a pathway to move later.

Steele’s position was clear. “I think the main thing that you can say for definite is that they can’t allow Allison to leave.”

Arne Slot needs certainty in goal

The Alisson debate also linked to Giorgi Mamardashvili. Davis mentioned reports that “an exit on loan could be considered” for the Georgian goalkeeper, and Steele said he had “not heard anything on the Mamardashvili loan thing.”

He questioned whether such a move would make sense, partly because Alisson “probably misses a third of every season with injury.” He also said Mamardashvili had “not really filled you with confidence when he has been playing,” adding that “his kicking, his distribution is pretty poor actually.”

Steele did recognise that “as a number two he’s not bad,” but asked “whether Liverpool back him to step up,” calling that “a big if.”

That is why Alisson staying matters so much. Liverpool may have succession planning in place, but the Anfield Index conversation made clear that this does not look like the right moment to accelerate it.

Late in the podcast, Davis referenced another update, saying, “Liverpool have formally told Allison they want him to stay and continue at the club next season.” He then asked about the leadership group, “Van Dijk, Allison, and who?”

Steele replied, “I don’t know.” He added, “I would have said Konate, but he’s gone,” before pointing to “a real void in that leadership.”