Alisson Becker has committed his future to Liverpool and Arne Slot after rejecting the tempting opportunity to move to the Saudi Pro League and make a fortune
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has revealed how he turned his back on a Saudi fortune to stay at Anfield.
Alisson was targeted by the mega-rich Saudi Pro League during the summer after six outstanding years on Merseyside. But while the 31-year-old Brazilian admitted that his head was turned by the money on offer in the Gulf, he insisted his love for the Reds made it impossible to leave.
Alisson now plans to serve the remaining two years of his contract – and suggested he would be interested in signing a new deal if it was put on the table. He said: “Yes, there was interest. But I have a contract and I want to honour my contract, or make a new one.
“I am really happy here. My family is happy. I never got to the point where I was talking about wages. It was just interest. But when you hear about the numbers the other players are getting you are a little bit attracted. That’s normal.
“At the end of the day, you play football for love. It is the thing you like to do, but it is our profession and we want to use the years that we have to make the most of it. I think I am open to that personally – but not now. Now is not the time. I am really focused on the things we have here at Liverpool and while I still have my contract here, I will be focused here.”
Alisson’s current deal takes him until the summer of 2026, although Liverpool have the option of triggering a 12-month extension. But with the Reds hoping to close a £35million deal to sign Georgian keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia, the South American is aware that circumstances may change.
He added: “When the interest from Saudi came, I could not close the door on a big deal. But my decision was always to stay and focus on the things we can achieve. If it is in the interests of the club to negotiate, then it will be a different conversation. At this time, in this window we are in, I am focused on my job here and my life in Liverpool.
“They are doing the right thing in my point of view, but, on my side, as long as I have my contract here and as long as I am happy here, the club is happy with me, my family is happy here, I will stay. I never thought about leaving. I had always decided to stay. I have two years plus one – the club’s choice – to stay here at Liverpool. So I will not leave now and I never thought about that.
“This is a new beginning and a new start and I am really excited about that. We are starting fresh with new energy and looking forward to what this season will bring for us.”
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