Liverpool’s new goalkeeper Alisson Becker has been preparing for the physical tests he might face from Crystal Palace’s set-pieces this evening by training with tackle bags, commonly used in rugby.
Palace created 57 chances from set plays last season, the joint third-highest number in the league.
Ahead of the Monday night match at Selhurst Park, Alisson has been practising fielding crosses with obstacles in the way, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said.
"It is not rugby, it is goalkeeper training," Klopp told Liverpool’s official website. "It makes sense to do it because the six-yard area is not a safety box for a goalkeeper.
"We have these situations in training constantly when we do set-pieces and the box is full with 22 players. Maybe 22 is a bit much, but certainly 15.
"It is not that the goalkeeper has to change completely for this league. We have to help him too in situations."
