For more than a decade, he was widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world.

Now in the twilight of an incredible career, Gianluigi Buffon knows his time at the top has come and almost gone, because of the rapidly changing world of football and the demands it makes on keepers.

That is why he rates Liverpool keeper Alisson in the top three in the world... and suggests the Brazilian can go on and join the ranks of the greats.

The Paris Saint-Germain keeper was certainly one of those with Juventus, and his experience still makes him a valuable member of the French side.

Yet Buffon himself acknowledges time has moved on... and now his profession need to be all-round footballers.

(Image: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

He has watched Alisson’s career trajectory closely, and has seen a development which he believes is now vital among the world elite at his position.

Show Player

“When I started playing the question you asked about goalkeepers was: How good are they with their hands? Now the question is how good are they with their feet?” he explained.

“There is no doubt that goalkeeping has evolved throughout my career, but for me a goalkeeper must concentrate on the fundamentals. At the same time you have to accept the role has changed and that more things are expected of the modern goalkeeper.”

(Image: AFP/Getty)

That is why he sees his opposite number on Wednesday as already among the best – in the top three in the world – and only likely to get better.

“Alisson is everything a modern goalkeeper needs to be. Liverpool have conceded very few goals this season - and he might be a new name for those in England but for me it is no surprise,” Buffon added.

“I have been watching him for some years now and am a big admirer. He is comfortable with the ball, he is an excellent shot stopper and I see that he gives confidence to his defence. He is one of the top three goalkeepers in the world right now and has everything to go on and be a great of his position.”

Loading

Football news straight to your inbox Never want to miss the latest transfer news or match reports? We've got newsletters sending you the latest from the football world or, more specifically, for Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. Sign up here to receive stories straight to your inbox.

Buffon though, is not quite ready to step back from the limelight just yet.

For all his admiration of Liverpool and his belief they have embraced the modern demands of the game, he would still love one last hurrah.

The Italian fears the English club, and knows they present a formidable threat to his dream of finally winning the Champions League.

He holds the unenviable record of being the player with the most appearances in the final of the competition – three – without actually winning the trophy, and in his 40th year he would love to put that misery behind him.

(Image: Reuters)

(Image: AFP/Getty)

Show more

Juve were so close last season to giving him a fairytale farewell, but lost in controversial circumstances to Real Madrid, and he said:

“I thought my last chance of winning the Champions League went last season... but PSG want to win the trophy this time and now I have another chance. This is a project at PSG and we need time — but also the ambition is to be successful this season. The dream is to win it.”