Liverpoolย defenderย Virgil van Dijk appears to have been given a boost in his hopes of winning titles with the club following the arrival of Alisson Becker, admitting that he is "very happy" to see the Brazil international in between the sticks at Anfield.
The Reds had a constant goalkeeping headache last season as both Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius took turns acting as the club's first choice goalkeeper.
In the end, Liverpool's lack of a world class goalkeeper proved costly as Karius made a number of high-profile mistakes towards the back end of the campaign, especiallyย in the Champions League final, andย the former Mainz star is now expected to be shipped outย toย Beลiktaล.
Speaking after the club's win overย Crystal Palaceย on Monday, Dutch international van Dijk admitted that summer signing Alisson brings a certain presence to the Liverpool defence, hinting that they are in a much stronger position to challenge for silverware this season.
"Itโs fantastic. You see how composed he is, the presence he has, heโs a fantastic goalie," van Dijk said, quoted by theย Liverpool Echo.ย "We are all very happy to have him in the team, heโs a good character as well, Iโm very happy with him."
Fans haveย also been singing the praises of Alissonย following his big-money arrival on Merseyside, although the performances ofย Trent Alexander Arnoldย andย Adam Lallanaย appeared to leave a lot to be desired against Crystal Palace.
Goals from James Milner andย Sadio Manรฉ, either side ofย Aaron Wan-Bissaka's red card, at Selhurst Park ensured the Reds returned to Liverpool with all three points.
Managerย Jรผrgen Klopp will be hoping that he can stopย Brighton & Hove Albionย in their tracks this weekend following their surprise win overย Manchester Unitedย when the Seagulls travel to Anfield on matchday three.