Alisson Becker outlined the work it took him to return to full fitness after an excellent performance on his return to the Liverpool team in Girona. The Brazilian made a number of good saves to keep the Spanish side at bay in a 1-0 Champions League victory for the Reds.

It was Alisson's first appearance since October, when he suffered a hamstring injury during a win at Crystal Palace, and he says there was no shortage of hard work to ensure he reached peak fitness again.

The 32-year-old took Caoimhin Kelleher's place in Liverpool's goal, with boss Arne Slot confirming that Alisson remains his number one choice goalkeeper when fit. And he rewarded that decision with a superb return display as Mohamed Salah scored the only goal of the game.

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Speaking to TNT Sports post-match, he said: "It's great to be back. Amazing feeling. It was a long way for me this time. It was a small injury and then a big one. Nine weeks I was away, but working really hard every day in the gym.

"When you have an injury you work even harder. When you play you just play and try to recover as much as you can, but when you have an injury you have no excuses.

"You have to prepare, work hard and it's like pre-season again in the middle of the season. I'm so glad to be back and thankful for the physios, doctors and all the guys who worked together with me."