I really don’t want to think about this.
But Lewis Steele has raised a question that Liverpool supporters probably need to start considering.
Could this actually be Alisson Becker’s final season at Anfield?
Steele has suggested that there may already be an understanding behind the scenes that this could be the Brazilian’s last year at Liverpool.
And while that certainly isn’t confirmation that Alisson is leaving, the contract situation makes it impossible to completely dismiss.
Alisson is currently in the final year of his Liverpool contract.
And, as things stand, there is no new deal in place.
That’s a situation Liverpool need to address.
Alisson is still one of the best
This is the bit that makes me uncomfortable.
If Alisson was struggling, declining rapidly or looking like he was no longer capable of being Liverpool’s No.1, then you could understand the club thinking about the future.
But that’s not what we’re seeing.
He’s still Alisson.
He’s still capable of producing those saves that can completely change a game.
And he’s still one of the most experienced and respected players in the Liverpool dressing room.
In fact, Andoni Iraola made it very clear during pre-season that he wanted Alisson to remain at Liverpool, describing him as an important reference point for the squad and someone who could help the club’s new players and younger players settle.
That doesn’t sound like a manager who was desperate to move on from him.
Quite the opposite.
But Liverpool have already planned for life after him
There is one thing that makes this situation particularly interesting.
Liverpool already have Giorgi Mamardashvili.
The Georgian goalkeeper arrived with the long-term future in mind, and his presence inevitably means Liverpool have an obvious succession plan if Alisson eventually leaves.
That doesn’t mean Mamardashvili is ready to replace him tomorrow.
And it certainly doesn’t mean Liverpool should allow Alisson to walk away simply because they have another goalkeeper waiting.
But it does mean the club aren’t starting from scratch.
Liverpool.com has reported that Alisson is due to leave at the end of the current campaign unless his contract situation changes, while the goalkeeper has previously made no secret of his desire to eventually finish his career back in Brazil.
That’s the part that makes Steele’s suggestion interesting.
Maybe Liverpool aren’t necessarily looking at Alisson’s departure as a crisis.
Maybe they’re already thinking about what comes next.
And then there’s Van Dijk
This is where things get even more fascinating.
Liverpool could potentially lose both Alisson and Virgil van Dijk at the end of this season.
That would be an enormous change.
These two players have been at the heart of Liverpool’s success for years.
Van Dijk is the captain.
Alisson is one of the senior voices in the dressing room.
Both have won the biggest trophies available.
And both are still hugely important to Iraola.
Yet neither has a new contract sorted.
Van Dijk has already said there is currently nothing to report on his situation, while reports confirm discussions over a new deal have not yet taken place.
That leaves Julian Ward with a pretty significant job.
This is exactly why Julian Ward has returned
Liverpool confirmed Ward’s appointment as sporting director on September 26, replacing Richard Hughes.
And his in-tray is already enormous.
Contracts.
Transfers.
Squad planning.
The future of Van Dijk.
The future of Alisson.
The right-back position.
The midfield.
The right wing.
And plenty more.
This isn’t simply about signing new players.
It’s about deciding which of Liverpool’s existing players should still be part of the club’s long-term plans.
And Alisson has to be one of the biggest decisions of all.
Personally, I’d keep him
I’ll be honest.
If you asked me today whether Liverpool should give Alisson another contract, my answer would be yes.
Absolutely.
I’d rather have another year or two of Alisson and allow Mamardashvili to continue developing alongside him than suddenly make the change because a contract happens to be expiring.
Goalkeepers can play well into their 30s.
Alisson is only 34, and Liverpool.com has pointed out that he remains at a high level despite his injury history.
If he’s willing to stay, I don’t see why Liverpool shouldn’t explore a deal.
Maybe it’s a one-year extension.
Maybe it’s another structure that works for both sides.
But I’d certainly be trying.
There is another side to this, though
We also have to be realistic.
Alisson has already given Liverpool some of the greatest years of his career.
He joined in 2018 and helped transform the team.
Premier League title.
Champions League.
FA Cup.
League Cup.
Club World Cup.
And countless huge saves along the way.
If he eventually decides that the time has come to return to Brazil, Liverpool can’t simply ignore that.
And perhaps the club have already accepted that possibility.
That’s why I don’t want to turn Steele’s comments into something they aren’t.
There is no confirmation that Alisson is leaving.
There is simply a genuine contract situation that Liverpool now have to deal with.
I just don’t want to see him leave for nothing
This is probably my biggest concern.
Liverpool have already experienced the frustration of allowing important players to reach the end of their contracts.
Now they have several major decisions coming at once.
If Alisson is staying, get the conversation started.
If he isn’t, Liverpool need to know early enough to plan properly.
Because losing Alisson would be significant enough.
Losing him and Van Dijk in the same summer would be an enormous change to the personality of this Liverpool team.
And that’s why I think Julian Ward’s work over the next few months could be absolutely crucial.
Is this really the end?
I genuinely hope not.
When you watch Alisson standing behind Van Dijk, organising the defence and producing another big save, it’s easy to forget that football careers eventually come to an end.
But perhaps this is the beginning of that conversation.
Steele has raised the possibility that this could be Alisson’s final season at Liverpool.
I really hope he’s wrong.
I’d love to see Alisson sign another contract and continue mentoring Mamardashvili while remaining Liverpool’s No.1.
But if the club and the player already know that this is going to be his final year, then Liverpool need to make sure they give him the farewell he deserves.
Because Alisson Becker isn’t just another goalkeeper who has played for Liverpool.
He’s one of the greatest goalkeepers this club has ever had.
And I don’t think I’m ready to say goodbye just yet.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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