Liverpool Target Alisson Can Be 'Best Goalkeeper in the World' Says Brazil Coach

Roma goalkeeper Alisson Becker can become "the best goalkeeper in the world" according to Brazil's goalkeeping coach Claudio Taffarel, who also worked with the 25-year-old at his first club Internacional, per Omnisport (h/t Robert Summerscales for Mail Online). 

Alisson is reportedly a transfer target of several top clubs, including Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain, per Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Sport Witness), and looks set to start for Brazil in the World Cup. With Alisson's profile still rising, Taffarel has declared the Brazilian could be even better than Gianluigi Buffon.

"I'll always respect the career of Buffon, who has been brilliant," he said. "But I believe that Alisson, as a goalkeeper, is more technical with a different posture. He always stands assertively and is confident in what he does. Alisson is really impressive."

Liverpool have had problems in goal this season, with Jurgen Klopp regularly switching between Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius, and signing a new goalkeeper could be a priority for the club. Alisson has emerged as a key target following his superb season at Roma, in which the Brazil international has conceded just 23 goals in 29 Serie A games, earning 17 clean sheets in all competitions along the way.

Martin Mejia/Associated Press

Taffarel believes this sort of form can make him the best goalkeeper in the world, something he has thought possible ever since they trained in Brazil.

"In the time that we worked with him at Internacional and with the national squad, we knew he would reach a high level," he said. "There is more time needed to see if he can reach the top or not, but he has the qualities to stay on top and become the best goalkeeper in the world, without doubt."

Brazil face Russia on Friday before playing Germany in Berlin on March 27 as the national team continue their preparations for the World Cup. Alisson, who will be the Brazil captain against Russia, might not be a Roma player for much longer, but that won't be in his mind ahead of an important week of international football. 

The praise of his coaching staff, however, will be a welcome confidence boost.