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Alisson Becker used to lock himself away from the outside world. The Brazilian goalkeeper was his own biggest critic.

But during a journey which has taken him from the youth ranks at Internacional in his homeland to the bright lights of Liverpool via Roma, a sense of perspective has been picked up along the way.

Spend half an hour in the deep thinker's company and the inner belief and mental strength which has enabled him to take a record-breaking £65million move to Anfield in his stride shines through.

The hefty price tag doesn't weigh heavily on his broad shoulders. There is no hint of self-doubt – he can handle the pressure and scrutiny that comes with life as Liverpool's No 1.

“I've locked myself in my room and wanted to be on my own a lot in my career, but I don't do that any more,” he said.

“I am more mature today so I deal better with the mistakes than the many times when I locked myself away and wanted to be alone.

“But if you look at my professional history as a goalkeeper, I'm not somebody who makes many mistakes. My game is characterised by consistency - that is what has brought me to Liverpool and helped me grow and develop.

“I like to make simple saves. I don't make saves for the camera. If the ball is in front of me, I won't dive. If it's to the side of me, I will dive to the side. I like to keep it simple. My saves are not to show off or Hollywood saves for the camera.”

Alisson has proved to be a commanding presence behind a solid backline which has been breached just twice in six successive league wins.

The first goal he conceded for the Reds was his 'Welcome to the Premier League' moment.

It came at the King Power Stadium last month when he tried to dribble the ball past Kelechi Iheanacho, lost possession and was left red-faced when Rachid Ghezzal swept the ball home.

A torrent of criticism followed but Alisson shrugged off that episode and hasn't put a foot wrong since.

He simply took on board the lessons learned that day. Now fewer risks are taken when it comes to distribution.

(Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)

“I am waiting for the centre-backs to produce an option,” he said. “I'm waiting for the full-backs to appear as well - hoping that a space for a pass will appear at the last moment.

“That's what happened in the Leicester game. I was waiting for that option of a pass, leaving it very late for the option to appear. It was at a time of the game when we were under pressure and I do know now that I should have taken the option of kicking the ball into the stands.

“In that situation though I was left with the only option which was to dribble and the ball held up in the grass. If it hadn't held up in the grass, I think it would have been a successful dribble.

“I was pushed from behind as well, and that was a real learning curve for me about the Premier League. Here the referees maybe don't call the fouls that you would expect to get in other leagues.

“Things are different here to other countries and I've learned that I can't wait for the referee or expect the referee to call the foul. Today I will take less risks and when the options aren't appearing I will clear it into the stands or play a long ball up front.

“The secret of the wise man is to learn from the errors of others. However, unfortunately in the Leicester game it was my error.

“I do take some risks and leave it late to play the ball but I'll stop taking these risks in the Premier League because of the different style of play, the physicality and the different refereeing styles.”

Alisson, who turns 26 on Tuesday, became the most expensive keeper in the world when he completed his transfer to Anfield.

However, within a matter of weeks, that £65million fee was eclipsed by the £72million that Chelsea paid Athletic Bilbao for Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The two shot-stoppers will go head to head in Saturday's mouthwatering Premier League showdown at Stamford Bridge.

Alisson believes the huge price tags show that there's a new found appreciation in modern football for the value of a top class No 1.

“Things have definitely changed recently,” he added.

“Goalkeepers have always been an essential part of the team. It's not just the technical qualities they need but the leadership qualities to help out the team and their communication skills too.

“They are characteristics that I believe I possess. I am always looking to improve my technical ability and communication with the team, and making myself available for the ball when needed. This is becoming an increasing demand of goalkeepers in world football.

“Goalkeeper is a very influential position in the team and that is becoming recognised now.

“If you think about it, any error that we make can be fatal for the team. It can lead to a goal and cause a defeat.

“I am really happy with the increased recognition that goalkeepers are getting now. I'm glad to be a leading part of that but I will continue working hard every day as I have done since turning professional with Internacional.”

Some struggle to settle and get to grips with the expectation levels at Liverpool but that's something Alisson has embraced from the off.

A keen musician, he stole the show during the initiation ceremony for the new signings at the training camp in Evian with his rendition of Oasis' 'Don't Look Back In Anger' and has proved a big hit in the dressing room.

Alisson lit up Serie A with Roma last term and has both the talent and the attitude to flourish at Anfield for years to come. He's driven on a burning desire to repay the faith shown in him by Jurgen Klopp.

“My background is a bit different,” he said. “When I went up from the youth team to the first team at Inter it was a risk, they were almost betting on me making it.

“Similarly, when I went to Roma from Brazil, there was an element of risk in that move too. But when Liverpool signed me there was a lot more certainty about it.

“Off the pitch times have changed. There is a lot going on with negotiations in the football business and I appreciate some people think that it's a crazy, absurd amount of money.

“I understand that but, for me, I don't really think about the value of the transfer. I'm calm about it. I think more about what I can give back to the club for the faith they have invested in me.

“I don't like to think about the numbers. What is more important for me is the expectation that is placed on me. I'm coming off the best season I've ever had and I'm hoping to do even better this season.

"Expectations are really high given the quality we have in the team. We are hoping for great things this season so we need to continue the great work we are doing."