The whole reason behind starting this blog in the first place was to talk about goalkeeping. So far in most of the articles I’ve covered some general topics that maybe don’t go into what I would say is in depth goalkeeping. This new series of best saves premiere league articles is going to celebrate the best saves that we see every week in the English game. Potentially expanding to series on different leagues across the world. This week there were plenty of exciting games in the Premier League, as well as a few surprises along the way. Although it’s fair to say a picked a couple of high-profile games, and therefore high-profile goalkeepers for the best saves Premier League list this week the idea is that it won’t always be the case. There’s a lot of talent in the Premiere League in goal outside of what most people consider the top teams.
There are certain goalkeeper saves that even people who are not goalkeepers or even folks who enjoy the beautiful game that much can appreciate. On the other hand though, there are saves that are superbly technical or situations that you really have to know the experience of being in goal to appreciate them. Although this week there maybe not too many of those on the list. My intention is to feature a couple of the tough scrappy saves that would otherwise not have made the highlight reel.
Hugo Lloris Save vs Manchester United : Knowing When To Stay Put
Kicking off the week in saves in the Premier League is a save that ultimately didn’t affect the scoresheet all that much. Since, Tottenham still lost to United. This is a save though that is very typical of the veteran goalkeeper who doesn’t get flustered when a shot is coming his or her way. The shot is clearly curving away from Lloris here, but he takes the gamble and stays put in the ground. Maybe some critics could point to the fact that if he takes even a small step to the right he’ll be able to make a much more comfortable save. However, you just never know with some of these shots if they’re going to move in another direction.
From my view the patience really pays off. There’s another element to the save though that makes it much better. He knows the ball is spinning every which way. There’s no reason for him to try and be a hero and catch this ball cleanly. Put some extra effort on the block to make sure that you’re able to give the ball off to the side. As you can see he also doesn’t just let the ball hit his hands he attacks the shot punches it out, and lives to fight another day. This is probably the most “scrappy” type save that is on the list this week. However, it’s one that certainly earned a spot on the list!
Allison Becker First of Best Saves Premier League vs Brighton : Perfect 1v1
This was one of the weirdest games of the week. Crystal Palace were not afraid to counter Liverpool whenever they had the chance that meant that Brazilian Allison Becker had to some work over the weekend. For the most part, Allison was able to respond accordingly to everything that was thrown at him. There was one play though where he’s potentially out of position and concedes a goal. That’s something that I’ll cover in another article though. There are two main things that he does extremely well on this play. He covers his front post well and doesn’t over commit on the play. Another goalkeeper may have been eager to come directly at the striker. Alisson is more of a between the sticks specialist, and it shows here.
To be fair to other keepers there’s not a lot of people in the world that can make this save. His reaction time is spectacular, and his reach allows him to cover the near post completely and still be able to react to a shot to the far post. That length really comes in handy. For shorter keepers this play would potentially look a lot different. You’d have to come out closer to the striker and close off the angle. Maybe you’d have to cheat to be able to cover the far post and a smart striker can put the ball in the back of the net in the near post. When you look at the play from the striker’s perspective it really feels like he has nowhere to put his shot!
Allison Becker Second Save vs Brighton: Stretching Out As Far As He Can Go
This save is one of those that we all want to make. You’ve stretched out to the max, and you’re just able to touch the ball with the tips of your fingers, and that’s just enough to make sure that the ball hits the post and bounces out. Again this is another example of the great length that Allison has. However, it’s also an example of his tremendous athleticism. That’s certainly not something that you see every day. More often than not really tall goalkeeper rely too much on their length. To be able to make this save though there are a lot of things that come into play.
On a personal level I would’ve loved to see him take that little extra step. That would be a major teaching point for young goalkeepers. He does though sort of widen his stance just a bit before he dives towards the ball. There’s an argument to be made that tiny movement that he make towards the ball before actually diving is the difference maker. If we want to be really picky we could even say that if he takes the step he’d be able to make that save much easier. He’s relying on his length a little too much here. When you can stretch like that though you’re going to be fine most of the time. Having some extra length is not a sin. Although some us shorter keepers are sometimes bitter when we see these types of saves. You know you’re not getting there without that extra step.
Jordan Pickford Save vs Wolves : The Best Player On The Pitch
Here’s a goalkeeper that has had to deal with a considerable amount criticism locally. The knock on him is that he doesn’t play as well locally as he does at the international level with England. In a losing effort he was clearly the best player on the pitch for Everton. There are two saves here that I want to look at. They came close enough in the highlights that I couldn’t bring myself to separate them. The first one, (sorry for the video quality ahead of time), is one of those where if it’s a goal you really can’t blame it on him. The shot is coming really hard from an angled position to where he has to make the save in the middle of the goal. There’s no way he’s holding on to that ball cleanly. He makes the save though and it works out.
The second save is probably going to get a couple of haters saying that he shows off leading with the top hand. I think that without a doubt it’s one of the top saves of the week. Yes, the ball does come down perfectly for him to strike a perfect pose that you can put on a poster. The fact of the matter is, many goalkeepers dream of being able to make this save and when they’re asked to do it they fall short. Therefore, we have to give major props to Pickford. If it wasn’t for this next save there’s a good chance that he’d be number one on the list for the week.
Best Saves Premier League Matchday 10 : Aaron Ramsdale vs Leicester City
If you saw this save you know already that there was just no way that it wouldn’t make the top spot for the week. Arsenal have completely turned to the young keeper after a rough start to the year from German Bernd Leno. If he keeps making saves like this it really wouldn’t make sense if Arteta put him back on the bench. As a goalkeeper coach this is one of those saves that you want to show the kids that you coach over and over again. It essentially contains all of the things that you’re preaching, or should be preaching as a goalkeeper coach. At the same time there’s a sense of awareness of where ball is where he is that’s just insane. Even other high-level pros could’ve gotten lost on the play.
There are a ton of things he does right here. When the ball is kicked he realizes he’s behind the shot if you will. He takes the step, and he dives towards the goal and not outward like we’re usually taught. When you dive inward it’s ok when you know your beat. He makes the save gets some luck from the bar. The awareness though to find the ball and effect the second shot is over the top. If this save doesn’t raise his FIFA awareness level I don’t know what will. By far and away the best save of the week. That’s it for the best saves Premier League matchday 10!
