Alisson, 34, reveals he wants to STAY at Liverpool after rolling back the years against Crystal Palace... but is extending the goalkeeper's contract the right call, asks LEWIS STEELE

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker insists he wants to stay at the club after his contract expires at the end of this season.

The Brazilian, now 34, put in a throwback performance in the Reds’ win at Crystal Palace on Sunday with some fine stops to keep his side in the game at 0-0 before the big-money attackers did their job at the other end.

It came after a period where Alisson has been questioned by fans for a string of errors in what is his final contracted year at the club. And the No1 has now opened up on his future for the first time.

Asked if he wants to stay beyond the end of the season, Alisson said: ‘Yes, in my mind. I’m focused on playing every game but in my mind I’m happy to stay. You know, that depends on a lot of aspects and different situations.

‘But my will is to stay. I’m happy here, my family is happy here. I’m still hungry for titles and for delivering good performances. I still want to play at the top level for as long as I can. So that’s my thinking on that.’

Alisson later added that his agent has held talks with the club over a new deal.

The 34-year-old keeper will spend the next week resting after not being called up by Brazil for the second straight international window

The keeper will spend the next week resting after not being called up by Brazil for the second straight international window, which he admits is a decision taken somewhat beyond his will.

He said: ‘It is beneficial (not going), for sure. You have to use it right because you have a lot of time so if you don’t train, if you don’t prepare, time goes really quick and you need to stay sharp.

‘It’s not that I will sit on the couch for a week and then come back training. I still have to work hard but in my mind I can use the time to relax and be more with my family.

‘It’s a little bit against my will. What I always want is to be with the national team but I understand this is what I have at the moment and I will use this time and take the benefit from the rest.’

Should Liverpool continue in Alisson wonderland?

By Lewis Steele

It is tempting to just say ‘yes’ and end this debate there.

Alisson is still the best goalkeeper Liverpool have on their books and, even though he is maybe not as solid as he once was, the 34-year-old remains one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

Last summer, he flirted with the idea of leaving and seriously considered a move to Juventus. Alisson speaks fluent Italian from his time at AS Roma and held talks with the Turin club over a return.

But Liverpool triggered a clause in his deal to extend his stay by a year. With several big names leaving such as Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Ibrahima Konate and Curtis Jones, the club did not want another experienced head to depart and leave a leadership vacuum.

They have also spent the last three years succession planning for Alisson’s long-term replacement and have signed a number of goalkeepers for more than £60million combined.

Giorgi Mamardashvili is the most obvious in the pecking order. He has had mixed reviews with fans but the Georgian is appreciated more internally than maybe externally. The club believes he has several levels left to step up.

Lucca Brughmans will join from Belgian side Genk after a £28.3million deal was struck. Liverpool genuinely think he is the best goalkeeper on the market and they fought off stiff competition from Real Madrid to sign him.

Liverpool think Lucca Brughmans - who will join them from Belgian side Genk - is the best goalkeeper on the market and they fought off stiff competition from Real Madrid to sign him

They have also signed highly-rated Armin Pecsi and England youth goalkeeper Zach Trinder from Wolves.

Clearly, the post-Alisson future is sorted, with some of them tipped to go far in the game. But are any of them better than Alisson now? No. Will any of them be better next season? No.

Alisson missed 54 games across the previous two seasons with injury and illness, according to Transfermarkt, but his omission from Brazil camps and a specialised pre-season programme mean the keeper seems to have put his issues behind him. Touch wood.

For that reason, a one-year extension makes sense – for both Alisson and 35-year-old captain Virgil van Dijk. The club will have to face up to a future without both of their defensive stalwarts but, for now, they remain the best in class.