Rio Ferdinand lauds Alisson as a ‘hero’ following Liverpool’s thrilling win against PSG in the UEFA Champions League.

**Alisson’s Heroics Propel Liverpool to Victory Over PSG**

In a thrilling encounter at the Parc des Princes, Liverpool’s goalkeeper Alisson Becker was nothing short of sensational, earning the Man of the Match accolade in the Reds’ narrow 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League. TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand hailed the Brazilian as a “hero” for his remarkable performance, which was pivotal in securing a crucial first-leg win in the last-16 tie.

The only goal of the match came from young star Harvey Elliott, who found the net late in the game, marking Liverpool’s solitary shot on target throughout the 90 minutes. However, it was at the other end of the pitch where Alisson truly shone, making an impressive ten saves, many of which were spectacular, to maintain his clean sheet.

Ferdinand was quick to commend Alisson’s contributions, stating, “Nobody’s mentioning him before the game, and all of a sudden, he steps up and becomes the absolute hero in this team. You’ve got to find different ways to win football games. You can’t always rely on Mo Salah. Sometimes you’ve got to be ugly.” He added, “It’s the most saves he’s ever made in a game for Liverpool. Those saves made it look so easy, which is the sign of a top-class goalkeeper.”

Alisson’s heroics included thwarting attempts from PSG’s Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, as well as expertly dealing with numerous threatening crosses. Former Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman echoed Ferdinand’s sentiments, suggesting that without Alisson’s brilliance, PSG could have easily run riot. “In the first half, they gave us a masterclass,” he remarked. “Any other day, you’d think PSG would have done enough to score a couple of goals, but Liverpool were incredibly resilient.”

The Brazilian goalkeeper himself acknowledged the significance of his performance, stating, “Probably the best of my life, I think, so far, hopefully!” He reflected on the challenges posed by PSG, noting, “We had to be ready to suffer. We gave away so many chances, but always with a player on the ball.” Alisson’s clean sheet was particularly noteworthy, as it marked his 22nd in the Champions League, surpassing the record previously held by Pepe Reina.

Liverpool’s victory gives them a significant advantage heading into the second leg at Anfield in two weeks’ time. With eight wins from nine games in the competition this season, the Reds are on the hunt for their seventh European crown, the last of which came in 2019 under Jurgen Klopp.

Manager Slot acknowledged the pressure his side faced, with PSG dominating possession at 71% and registering 27 shots, ten of which were on target. “We faced a team that is so good in ball possession,” he said. “To go away with a win over here was probably a bit more than we deserved.”

As the teams prepare for the return leg at Anfield on March 11, Slot will be hoping for a more comfortable night for his side, but he remains full of praise for Alisson, whom he regards as the best goalkeeper in the world. “I’ve never had the best goalkeeper in the world,” he stated. “He showed that today.”

With the stage set for an exciting second leg, Liverpool will be keen to build on their advantage, while PSG will be looking to overturn the deficit in front of their own fans.

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