Liverpool star ‘once considered the best in the world’ defended over World Cup display | OneFootball

Brazil legend Julio Cesar has defended Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson after he was criticised in his homeland for his display against Croatia.

Croatia snatched a late equaliser in extra time from Bruno Petkovic’s deflected effort to cancel out Neymar’s opener and take the game to penalties.

Marquinhos hit the post and Dominik Livakovic saved Rodrygo’s spot-kick in the shootout as Croatia won 4-2 – with Brazil’s star man Neymar never even taking a penalty.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson wasn’t at fault for the Petkovic effort but there have been suggestions he should’ve done better for the goal and to save Croatia’s penalties.

But former Brazil goalkeeper Cesar has defended Alisson and insists the Liverpool stopper is still one of the top three keepers in the world.

Cesar told Globo Esporte (via Sport Witness): “I think that, as a whole, Alisson had a nice World Cup, in the first two games he wasn’t tested much, there were almost no shots on goal, in the third game Ederson came in, and against Korea he had a great game.

“The saves against Korea only showed why he was wearing the number one shirt for the national team, why he is Tite’s number one. No one had any doubts as to why he was starting.

“Against Croatia, he had few participations during the game, a single shot on goal, a deflected ball and Alisson was unable to save. I think because he’s out of the game, that’s bad for a goalkeeper.

“Obviously, in all defeats there will be criticism, Alisson was once considered the best goalkeeper in the world, today he is top three without a doubt.

“When things don’t turn out positively, criticism happens. Every time you show how good you are, the charge only increases. Unfortunately on penalties he didn’t succeed, it’s the details that decide, the Croatians were more effective than us.”

On the decision to make Neymar their fifth kick taker, Brazil boss Tite said after the match: “The fifth is the decisive one, there is more pressure and the players who are more mentally prepared are the ones to take this last penalty kick.

“The players know about my commitment and they know how proud I am of their performance. It’s the entire team who loses.

“We need to be ready to share our joy and willing to share our sadness. There is a new generation of players who will find strength in adversity. I understand I am the most responsible one but we are all responsible for the loss.

“It’s not about being a hero or a villain. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose.”