Alisson Becker has heaped praise on former Liverpool coach and Brazilian goalkeeping great Claudio Taffarel ahead of the Samba Boys' opening World Cup group game against Morocco.
The Reds' No.1 is expected to start in goal for Carlo Ancelotti's team on Saturday evening (11pm kick-off BST) after recovering from a thigh injury that blighted the last two months of his Premier League season.
In an earlier interview this week, the 33-year-old admitted to missing some of Liverpool's matches towards the end of the campaign in order to regain full fitness for the World Cup.
And during a press conference from Brazil's training base in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Alisson paid tribute to his mentor and the national side's goalkeeping coach, whom he also worked with for a period at the AXA Training Ground from 2021 to 2025 under Jurgen Klopp.
Speaking about Taffarel, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 1994, Alisson said: 'One of the most vivid memories I have, at six years old, is the semi-final against the Netherlands [1998]. My father played a joke when Taffarel saved the penalty. He took a cake and shoved it in his own face. I think that's why it stayed so marked.'
'It's a privilege to work with Taffarel, an idol, inspiration and reference for so many Brazilians who wanted to be a goalkeeper. In childhood it was saying: 'Taffareeel...'.'
'He sustains us in difficult moments, he has left a legacy beyond what he did as a player. Perhaps people don't see Taffarel's importance as a goalkeeper coach as much. I've been able to maintain a high level for so long because I have a qualified coach like him.'
Brazil are considered one of the favourites to lift the trophy for a record sixth time, alongside European heavyweights France, Spain, England and Portugal.
Alisson also showered current national team boss Ancelotti with plenty of praise and credited the Italian with changing the atmosphere of the whole camp.
'Since Ancelotti's arrival, the environment has been transformed. He carries a strong presence and gives us the tranquillity of an environment focused on work, without controversy,' Alisson added.
'He is resilient, humble, and has intelligence in choosing the right words at the right time. He is a great manager. He has a clear idea of football, which facilitates our style of play. These combinations favour the team. I see his joy and gratitude for being the coach of the Seleção.'
'He's a multi-champion, but he shows it. You can notice it. We also notice it. He has won everything in football and is here with joy and enthusiasm. His position perhaps has more pressure than being the president of the country, in its levels.'
