You get people who are good-looking enough to have beards. They are quite common.
Less common are the people who are good enough to shave off the entire beard except for the bushy piece of mustache and still look good.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker? One of these people, apparently.
???????? ???? ?
Afternoon, @Alissonbecker? pic.twitter.com/EqYsafHQkr
– Liverpool FC (@LFC) 29 March 2021
The Reds sent Twitter in a melting pot on Monday when they released a picture of the Brazilian’s new look. He turned out to be training to make his best Tom Selleck / Pablo Escobar / Ned Flanders / Hulk Hogan / Earl from My Name is Earl impression, and somehow pull it off.
If you’re wondering where the inspiration came from, look no further than comedian and mustache sportsman Rob Delaney, who was one of the first to discover it.
I love coaching my beautiful son https://t.co/VZY3eClTXE
– Rob Delaney (@robdelaney) March 29, 2021
And if you’re wondering what Delaney looks like … well, that’s actually pretty scary.
Can not believe we signed Rob Delaney pic.twitter.com/A21r6BIN1F
– Vale FC (@vcantweet) March 29, 2021
Liverpool fans have generally been quite impressed by how seamlessly their number 1 pulls off such an ambitious look.
His children, though? Not so much…
Oh, wait, maybe they actually are.
Alisson Becker ??? ☹️ pic.twitter.com/iiy44r8Nyd
– Buzz Spor (@buzzspor) March 27, 2021
The comparisons have been wide, with everyone from Anchorman’s Ron Burgundy to Borat appearing.
pic.twitter.com/ORFFUTIio8
– Spit it out (@EppyFizul) March 29, 2021
But the most prominent among Liverpool fans? And fish Mr. Bruce Grobbelaar. If that’s not a good sign …
Alisson follows Liverpool goalkeeper tradition Ben Radford / Getty Images
The Brazilian hopes that his new appearance can inspire a new start for his team after they returned from an international break. They signed in good condition and fired RB Leipzig and beat Wolves at Molineux, but two victories in their last seven Premier League matches are not exactly inspired stuff from Jurgen Klopp’s defending champions.
The next time for the Reds is a trip to Arsenal on April 3, before their Champions League quarter-final first match with Real Madrid three days later. Liverpool keepers have a shaky story against the Spanish giants – just ask Loris Karius – but here Alisson hopes and his new face fuzz is up to the task.
