Manchester United and Ten Hag can’t ignore ‘terrible’ David De Gea truth that Alisson can help Liverpool exploit

Although Alisson Becker and David De Gea are vying for the Premier League Golden Glove, the circumstances facing the goalkeepers for Manchester United and Liverpool are very dissimilar.

If Liverpool, against all odds, finish in the top four this season, they could be indebted to Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea.

The Spaniard was to blame for Said Benrahma’s winner at West Ham on Sunday, he was able to put the Algerian’s tame try from range but was unable to parry it as he squirmed out of its grip and in the bottom corner.

Falling to a 1-0 defeat at the London Stadium, the Red Devils still occupy fourth but sit just a point above Liverpool, albeit having played one game less. Meanwhile, De Gea’s latest error has cast doubt on his future at Old Trafford with his current contract set to expire this summer, though United do possess a one-year option.

Erik ten Hag has said he would like to retain the 32-year-old, yet the shot-stopper would need to accept a big reduction on his current £375k-a-week contract if he wishes to extend his 12-year stay at United. Meanwhile, scrutiny continues to hang over his head following his latest costly error, with some questioning the wisdom of the Red Devils if they did keep the goalkeeper.

Ex-Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has slammed his former team-mate as he pundits for BT Sport during the game against West Ham.

“It’s a big mistake. He will take full responsibility for it,” he said. “His left foot slips a bit but that’s no excuse, he’s in full contact with the ball. It’s not like he stretches and puts his fingertips on it.”

Meanwhile, former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch and Newcastle United midfielder Jermaine Jenas would describe De Gea’s latest costly mistake as ‘terrible’ and ‘beyond shocking’.

“If he’s negotiating a contract, mistakes like that will never help,” Crouch said. “He’s been a quality goalkeeper over the years, but right now he feels like he’s making big, big mistakes in big, big games. David de Gea had a shock, we can’t not dress it up. You can’t justify it anyway, it’s a terrible mistake.”

Jenas added: “It’s more than shocking. His team is totally in control of this game and letting you in like that. He’ll know for himself.

Also at fault for United’s Europa League exit at the hands of Sevilla last month, De Gea has made four errors leading to a goal in all competitions this season, the joint-most of any Premier League player, along with Hugo Lloris.

Yet he still leads the way for the Golden Glove, having kept 15 clean sheets in the Premier League this season. Winner of the award in 2017/18, the 32-year-old is two clean sheets clear of his nearest rivals with United having four games left to play. While it is in his hands as a result, most would find such a fact hard to believe considering his struggles.

Liverpool’s Alisson Becker is one of the shot-stoppers who could snatch the prize out of De Gea’s grasp, having kept clean sheets in the Reds’ 1-0 victories over Fulham and Brentford in the past week. With three games left to play, he is level with Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale on 13 clean sheets in second place.

The Brazilian hasn’t been immune from errors himself though this season, having gifted goals to the likes of Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr and Wolves’ Goncalo Guedes. Yet Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool are well-aware how much worse their disappointing season could have been without their number one.

“Alisson was really moved by the fact that we kept a clean sheet tonight, it had been so long since he kept a clean sheet for us,” said the German after the Reds’ victory over Fulham. “Especially in that situation.

“He is definitely the most consistent player we have this season. That’s good news. If we’re not in shape and the goalkeeper’s level goes down, then we were completely lost.”

Meanwhile, he joked that the Brazilian has made “100 life-saving saves” this season after Alisson kept his 100th clean sheet for the club in the win against Brentford. “I gave him a shirt, we had prepared a shirt for him,” Klopp told BBC Sport. “I said this is actually for ‘100 life-saving saves this season. Ali said: “He Could have been more”. Maybe he’s right!

“His performances speak for themselves. If you know him he’s a better person than a goalkeeper and that’s already difficult. Ali can be very proud of that. I can’t wait to see the next 100.”

Two-time Golden Glove winner Alisson, who lifted the trophy for the first time after his debut season in England in 2018/19, is the current holder of the award, having shared it with compatriot Ederson last season.

Even with the occasional blunder, Liverpool’s faith in Alisson is unwavering. They know very well how lucky they are to have the best goalkeeper in the world, at least in their eyes.

The confident Brazilian, who has now kept two consecutive clean sheets, will be desperate to maintain such a run as the Reds look to at least keep their dim hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League at bay for as long as possible.

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Alexis Mac Allister could be a brilliant half-price Jude Bellingham alternative for Liverpool

ECHO has carried out an in-depth comparison between the reported goals of Liverpool’s Alex Mac All-star and

Alexis Mac Allister and Jude Bellingham have made a name for themselves among England fans this season.

Ironically, both of them made headlines at the Winter World Cup for inflating their price tags tenfold. While Mac Allister eventually emerged victorious and helped Argentina lift the trophy for the first time since 1986 to immortalize his legacy, Bellingham – just 19 years old – was England’s leading name.

The former continued to excel at Brighton, leading the club to a potential European debut season. A winning penalty helped sink Manchester United on Thursday, making Liverpool happy in their Champions League race. Reports in Argentina suggest Mac Allister could join the Reds this summer for £60m. In the weeks leading up to Bellingham’s signing dominated the transfer agenda until Jurgen Klopp dismissed the claims, insisting on realism about what Liverpool can do in the transfer market.

But is there much between the two players? At half the price, could the Mac Allister be a smarter option than its British counterpart?

Well, as far as league goal stats go, absolutely…

Well, as far as league goal statistics are concerned, absolutely…

The 24-year-old’s consolation strike against Everton took his tally to 10 for the season. Bellingham, by contrast, has only netted seven for Borussia Dortmund, despite a double at the weekend. A lot of emphasis is placed on xG, the analytic used to calculate the probability of a shot resulting in a goal.

The data shows that Mac Allister’s xG in 2022-23 is 11.4, considerably higher than Bellingham’s (6.2). Despite operating in a deeper role under Roberto De Zerbi, the Brighton man has the upper hand offensively.

As far as passing is concerned, Mac Allister also comes out on top for accuracy (86.4 percent) – although Bellingham (81.3 percent) has created more goals for his teammates. The England wonderkid’s four assists trump the solitary set-up Mac Allister managed for Joel Veltman against West Ham United earlier in the season.

Their stylistic difference can be analyzed using statistics when both players have possession of the ball. A box-to-box powerhouse with a relentless engine, Bellingham has rushed for 7,238 yards this season and eclipsed Mac Allister’s 5,123 yards. However, the Seagulls midfielder gave away the ball far less often and was denied just 34 times compared to Bellingham’s 55.

Only three duels separate the two players defensively, but Mac Allister (22) is behind the 19-year-old (49) in counters. At Liverpool, however, the Brighton ace would have Fabinho or Jordan Henderson to rely on defensively, while at the heart of Dortmund’s engine room Bellingham is a very active midfielder who can do it all. Both players can claim to enjoy the best season. Finally, Brighton are out of the top four bets and Dortmund have kept the Bundesliga title race going until May – both unthinkable feats at the start of the season.

Liverpool supporters would rejoice at the prospect of signing either star but, as Klopp hinted at last month, only Mac Allister appears a plausible option. Given the stats and his much inferior price tag, you may be surprised to learn he has more than held his own against the future of English football.