03 May 2023 , 23:00
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Jurgen Klopp has admitted Liverpool would be "completely lost" if Alisson suffered a dip in form after the goalkeeper helped them record a narrow win against Fulham on Wednesday.
The Brazil international recorded a first shutout since early April, ensuring Mohamed Salah's penalty against the London side was enough for all three points. The victory made it five wins on the spin for Klopp's side, though they need a favour or two to climb into the top four by the end of the season.
Liverpool finished second last season, but inconsistency has plagued them this time around - especially on the road, where they have lost eight of their 17 matches. However, thanks in part to their keeper, they have a chance to end the campaign on a high.
"He is the most consistent player we have this season," Klopp said. "If his level dropped as well we would be completely lost."
Victory leaves Liverpool four points behind fourth-placed Manchester United. Erik ten Hag's side have two games in hand, though, with the first of them coming against Brighton on Thursday, and Roberto De Zerbi's Seagulls can still catch the Reds.
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The win allowed Klopp's men to gain some revenge over Fulham who frustrated them during a draw in the opening weekend of the season. They needed Alisson on form, though, with the former Roma goalkeeper on hand to deny Carlos Vinicius and Bobby Decordova-Reid in the second half.
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Alisson needed to be at his best against Fulham (AP)"Alisson was not too busy tonight but being there in that position, he was the happiest person in the dressing room with a clean sheet," Klopp told The BBC. "He hates 4-3 and things like this. Tonight he could save our backside and that was super important."
The former Borussia Dortmund boss was also asked whether his side's top four hopes were realistic with time running out. "No. I don't feel it like that but it means nothing. It's about probabilities," he said.
"If Newcastle and Manchester United win all their games, we have no chance. If Brighton win all their games, they are ahead of us. That's the situation.
"We just have to win our games and see where it takes us. At the moment I'm happy with our direction. We just have to keep going and in the end we'll look at the table and take what we can get."
Next up for Liverpool is a home meeting with Brentford, followed by a trip to face a Leicester City side fighting for survival. Their final game at Anfield comes against Aston Villa on May 20, while they round off the season against a Southampton side who could be relegated by the time they host Klopp's men at St Mary's.