Ally McCoist reveals why he prefers Ederson over Alisson

Former striker turned pundit Ally McCoist has claimed that Ederson is the Premier League's best keeper ahead of Liverpool's Alisson Becker.

The two Brazilians are undoubtedly among the very finest goalkeepers in world football and are rivals for the number shirt with the Brazil national team.

Though adored by Liverpool fans, Alisson has recently been somewhat under-appreciated by the wider football community.

The former Roma stopper was overlooked for both the PFA Team of the Year and shortlist for the Yashin Trophy (France Football's Ballon d'Or for goalkeepers) despite an impressive season at individual level.

Alisson conceded just 43 goals (excluding penalties and own goals) across the Premier League 2022/23 season, while he saved Liverpool from conceding a league-high of 10.1 goals across the campaign – which is worked out by taking away goals conceded from the post-shot expected goals.

The 31-year-old has also started the new season in similarly fine fashion, winning the August Save of the Month award, while he has been nominated in all three months so far in 2023/24.

However, while debating whether there is anyone in the Premier League who could take the number one spot off Ederson, McCoist claimed that the City man's footwork gives him an edge over Alisson.

The ex-Rangers forward said on talkSPORT: "I love Alisson the goalkeeper, but for the way City play, Ederson might be the best I’ve ever seen with his feet.

"He pinged a 70-yard pass to the outside left position yesterday, I mean Ronald Koeman would have been delighted with it. Glenn Hoddle would have loved it!

"He’s got an awareness and he was just dinking balls forwards into Kyle Walker in the right-back position. I like Alisson but he’s not getting in ahead of Ederson because of the way he plays the game."

Alisson had been regularly preferred over Ederson at international level, keeping goal for Brazil at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. However, since the Selecao's disappointing quarter-final exit in Qatar last winter, Ederson has seemingly been promoted to first choice.

Speaking back in September, interim Brazil coach Fernando Diniz told reporters: “I think both [Alisson and Ederson] are among the three best goalkeepers in the world, so it’s always hard for you to make an assessment and decide.

“Any time, any of them can play, including [Lucas] Perri, including Bento who was being drafted, including Weverton who was also here, who is a great goalkeeper.

“But specifically, of these two, they have been playing at a very high level for a long time.

“Then it’s a matter of feeling the moment, for you to decide."