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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Paul Gorst

'We need to speak about it' - Liverpool's Alisson Becker breaks silence on potential FIFA ban in October

Alisson Becker has called on the relevant authorities to ensure there is no repeat of the threat of suspension for Liverpool's Brazil contingent next month.

The Reds saw their preparations for Sunday's trip to Leeds hampered by the uncertainty that surrounded both Alisson and his compatriot Fabinho after the Brazil FA asked FIFA to invoke a five-day rule that initially prevented the pair from playing.

Had Alisson and Fabinho travelled to South America, they would have had to stay in a quarantine hotel for 10 days upon their return to the UK and be ruled out for at least four matches as a result.

The Brazilian FA later withdrew their request for the Liverpool duo - and Brazil's other Premier League-based internationals - to be banned on Friday night having not been released for national team duty due to coronavirus quarantine restrictions.

Liverpool eventually found an ally in Brazil's director of football, Juninho, who worked behind the scenes to ensure the Reds could field both Fabinho and Alisson for the 3-0 win at Elland Road.

Alisson says he is keen to avoid another diplomatic issue after October's international break and insists he has faith that a similar situation won't arise next month.

"The way the world has been going in the last two years, we are prepared for all the situations," Alisson said about the unusual situation he found himself in.

"We've learned a lot from these difficult times we are living. Last week was no different, I wasn't sure if I would be playing or not.

"I just tried to be sure that I was ready for it and my preparation was the same as the other matches.

"I am really happy that all the parties, the Brazil FA, the club, the Premier League, FIFA, they all worked together to bring the solution for the situation.

"And also I trust them in the club and the Premier League, FIFA, the national team, the governments, to find a solution for the next internationals [break[.

"That is something we need to start to speak about now."

The Reds' goalkeeper is set to begin his fourth campaign in the Champions League at Anfield when AC Milan visit on Wednesday night for the Group B opener.

Alisson says he watched the two clubs play out the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul and talked up the inspiration that remarkable Reds comeback gives him and his team-mates.

He added: "That game was an incredible one, Milan had Kaka and Dida playing, I had the luck to meet them personally and to play with them, learn from them personally and that game was something amazing to see.

"It is something amazing to see to bring back the memories and I think there are unbelievable memories for all the Liverpool supporters.

"So those players [that won the 2005 Champions League] are an inspiration for me and all my team-mates."

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