A GOALKEEPER on the podium?
Could it happen? Might Alisson be in with a shout to win the FIFA best player of the year award?
He can certainly present some powerful credentials. His debut season at Liverpool could hardly have gone better.
He has turned a clear weakness of Jurgen Klopp’s side into an undoubted strong point.
And he followed up his success in the Champions League by winning the Copa America with Brazil, conceding just one goal in the course of the tournament – and that from the penalty spot.
It might be pointed out that Alisson had very little to do in the Copa America. This is true.
In every game Brazil were overwhelming favourites, and they spent much of their time attempting to break down deep defences.
For long periods of the competition, Brazil’s goalkeeper could have taken a deck chair onto the field and enjoyed a privileged view of the action at the other end.
That, though, is part of the fascination of being Brazil’s goalkeeper. Frequently there is little to do.
But then something might come along where he will be expected to retain his concentration, snap out of his lethargy and make an important contribution.
In the closing stages of the Copa final a number of Brazilian nails were being bitten.
After Gabriel Jesus was sent off, the host’s 2-1 lead started to look precarious. Peru began to exert a stranglehold.
They played their way in down the left flank. Full back Miguel Trauco was bearing in on goal.
The angle was not good – but on a fresh winter’s evening, the keeper could have been caught cold.
Instead, Alisson safely turned the shot round the near post. And every time a cross was played in within his range he came out to make the catch.
Nothing sensational, nothing heart stopping, just complete reliability. It was a typically unblemished performance.
Some make the point that he is playing in front of top quality defenders – the immaculate Virgil Van Dijk at Liverpool and the splendid PSG pair of Marquinhos and Thiago Silva with the national team.
This is undeniable. But it is equally clear that Alisson helps them become better defenders.
The centre backs can have total trust in their goalkeeper, whose presence spreads calm throughout the side.
There is one moment from the Copa America that sums up his season. It came in the second half of the semi final against Argentina.
Brazil were a goal up, but Argentina were pushing them harder than many had expected, enjoying a worrying amount of midfield possession.
They won a free kick on the left edge of the area. Lionel Messi stepped up. It was his moment.
He glanced at the goal, worked out the angles, relishing the challenge.
And then he produced one of those subtle little chips over the defensive wall that have so often ended up in the back of the net, goalkeeping desperately clawing at the air as the ball goes past him.
Alisson, though, had read the situation. His positioning and movement were top class as he went to his left to make a safe catch.
It was a difficult save – rendered as easy and unfussy as if he was plucking a low hanging fruit.
For moments such as that, Alisson is a serious contender for a place on this year’s podium.
