Dejan Lovren has urged Liverpool to offer Alisson Becker a contract extension to 2028, which would see the goalkeeper complete a decade at Anfield. The former Liverpool defender, speaking to Hajper, said the 34-year-old Brazilian deserves new terms after his contributions to the club.
Alisson is in the final year of his contract on Merseyside. After Liverpool's 3-1 win over Crystal Palace last Sunday, he said he would be open to extending his stay. His agent, Ze Maria Neis, is in tentative discussions over a new deal.
Lovren's praise for Alisson
Lovren, who played alongside Alisson for two years during a period that brought the Champions League, Club World Cup and Premier League titles, spoke warmly about his former team-mate.
"I love Ali," Lovren told Hajper. "Ali is an amazing human being and a fantastic goalkeeper."
"I mean, what he did for the club, how many saves he made, how many points he saved for the club, he deserves a new contract."
He added: "If Liverpool wanted to sign anyone close to his level because of their age, it's going to be incredibly expensive, we see goalkeepers going for sixty or seven million now."
Age no barrier for goalkeepers
Lovren argued that Alisson's age should not be a concern, comparing goalkeepers favourably to outfield players.
"I don't know many goalkeepers on his level. OK, he is 34, but for a goalkeeper that is totally different," he said. "Thirty-four for a goalkeeper is like 30 for an outfield player. So in my eyes, he has at least another two to four years at the top level."
"Everyone wants him to stay forever because he is a legend. I believe he came in 2018, so why not make it until 2028? Give him ten years."
Seeing former team-mates elsewhere
Lovren, who made 185 appearances during his six-year stay at Liverpool, also said he is still adjusting to seeing former team-mates Andy Robertson and Jordan Henderson at other clubs. Robertson joined Tottenham Hotspur as a free agent in the summer, while Henderson moved from Brentford to Chelsea.
Lovren conceded it remains surreal to see both playing for different Premier League clubs, drawing an analogy with a famous artwork.
"When you see the Mona Lisa, you know you are in Paris," he said. "You cannot see her in a different city. For me, it's the same with players like Andy Robertson and Jordan Henderson, these guys should always be at Liverpool because they have the identity of Liverpool."
He added: "These guys loved Liverpool. But to see him at another club now is totally different. But that's football, you never know when the end is coming. I don't watch Tottenham, I always prefer Liverpool, and you know, I cannot watch Robbo there!"
