Tuesday 2 October 2018 15:36, UK
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has revealed he was reduced to tears when he made the decision to leave Roma in the summer.
The 26-year-old became the world's most expensive keeper when he moved to Anfield in July for £67m and has since established himself as Jurgen Klopp's first-choice following Loris Karius' high-profile mistakes in the Champions League final.
But speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Alisson admitted it was a wrench to sever ties with Roma after making 37 appearances for the Serie A club.
"Leaving Rome was difficult," he said. "I cried for a long time, along with my wife.
"It is right, to be honest. I have made a professional choice, a step forward for my career and Roma have earned a large sum.
"With my mind I decided to go to Liverpool, but my heart was still full of tears.
"I spent two special years in Rome, my daughter was born there, I have many friends there even out of football.
"So many times I went for a walk around the city: The Trevi fountain, in the dark, is so beautiful it moves you. But my favourite place is the Colosseum, there you breathe history."
Alisson has been widely praised for his performances for Liverpool this season apart from his costly mistake at Leicester which he said made him "angry".
The Brazil international, who is preparing for Liverpool's Champions League game back on Italian soil at Napoli on Wednesday, was asked whether he considered staying at Roma after the World Cup.
"The thought has passed through my mind so many times because I was very happy in Rome," he added.
"But when a player chooses where to play, the discussion is wider. I have great ambitions and so do Liverpool and now I play in the most important league in the world.
"Serie A isn't that far behind but it's just different. Less intense."
