There was a grin from Virgil van Dijk before giving his assessment of Alisson’s contribution to Liverpool’s victory over Napoli. “He was there to do his job,” the defender said. Bear hugs and effusive praise could come from others. Van Dijk was, of course, correct, although a Liverpool goalkeeper doing his job so well, so consistently and so decisively feels a novelty in the context of Anfield’s recent history.

The Champions League group decider was Alisson’s 22nd appearance for Jürgen Klopp’s team following his £65m summer move from Roma. He had justified the expectation levels that soared with his signing long before Wednesday, when he earned Liverpool an extra £11m in Champions League revenue with the 92nd-minute block that secured victory and a return to the knockout phase.

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It may not have been the “incredible, unbelievable” save that Klopp, adrenaline still pumping, claimed never to have witnessed before and Arkadiusz Milik, the Napoli substitute, will rue the placement of a shot that could have transformed the night for both clubs. But Alisson, spreading himself, imposing himself and reacting superbly to Milik’s close-range opportunity, made all the difference for Liverpool. Again.

It was the same against Brighton early in the season, against Chelsea, Everton and Burnley, too. Racking up the points in Liverpool’s pursuit of the Premier League title and the Champions League. The kind of keeper, to be blunt, Anfield has lacked for too long.

Van Dijk paid a more generous tribute to Alisson after highlighting he was merely doing the job that Liverpool bought him for. “The save was unbelievable,” he said. “You saw my reaction as well. It’s very important to have such a guy behind. Alisson is also part of the defence and I think we all deserve the credit we get. It starts up front. You saw against Napoli, obviously we have triggers to press and then make it difficult for them. If they come to our end then we need to be ready and we were.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Alisson pulls off another crucial late save. Photograph: Craig Galloway/ProSports/Rex/Shutterstock

Liverpool’s defensive improvement under Klopp predates Alisson but has accelerated with him. Wednesday brought a sixth clean sheet in the last eight Champions League games at Anfield. They have kept an outstanding 15 clean sheets in the last 19 home fixtures in all competitions.

The save ratio has improved markedly with Alisson. The Brazil international has a save percentage of 86 in the Premier League, the highest in the competition. Last season, under Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius, it was 64%, the second lowest. The six goals conceded in 16 league games this term equals the Premier League record. These are title-winning figures reminiscent of Chelsea’s return during José Mourinho’s first few campaigns at Stamford Bridge and also the foundation for Liverpool’s steady unbeaten climb to the top of the table.

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That is why there will be apprehension in the manager’s office at Melwood after learning Joël Matip faces up to six weeks out the defender having suffered a fractured collarbone against Napoli. With Joe Gomez and Nathaniel Clyne sidelined, the right of Liverpool’s defence will be severely stretched should Trent Alexander‑Arnold, also injured against the Italians, miss Sunday’s home game against Manchester United and beyond.

Klopp rightly praised the collective defensive effort that underpinned the victory over Napoli and ensured their goalkeeper had to make one vital save. Alisson’s composure on the ball and command of crosses were, he added, equally important for the confidence of those around him. For Klopp’s judgment, too.

Liverpool inquired in January about Alisson, who was the only candidate the manager had in mind to replace Karius both before and after the Champions League final. There was no deal to be done then or when Roma quoted £90m in the aftermath of Liverpool’s defeat against Real Madrid. Persistence and patience paid off again. Now Liverpool are capable of late dramatics at both ends of the pitch.

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Georginio Wijnaldum, though, says Liverpool do not feel invincible in the Premier League and will be wary of the threat posed by Manchester United despite the gulf between the north-west rivals. The Netherlands’ international said: “Invincible? No, not really. We know we have to do a lot to not lose games and even more to win them. We know we have to give a good performance every week to continue the run we are in. I don’t really think we are invincible and if we think that we have a manager that would put both feet on the ground.”

Liverpool are 16 points better off than United with only 16 league matches played but Wijnaldum believes Mourinho’s team can threaten the unbeaten record. “Everyone can have a bad season,” the midfielder said. “I think the year before I came here Liverpool finished eighth so those things can happen. That does not mean they are not a good team with good players. Last season with the same players they finished second. One season goes well, one season a little bit more difficult. It doesn’t mean they have a bad team: they have good players, a good manager, and they know how to manage games and win games. It is going to be difficult.”