Alisson Becker is widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world by many, as the Liverpool star has been nothing short of sensational for his club. Behind the field though, there's a fellow Brazilian compatriot that plays a huge role in his development and heroics for Liverpool. That individual is none other than Cláudio Taffarel, who was the goalkeeping coach of Liverpool.
Taffarel was excellent during his playing years as well, which began in 1985 with Brazilian side Internacional. This was followed by a move to Italian side Parma, where he had the most successful phase of his career. He managed to win a Coppa Italia and UEFA Cup Winners' Cup during his 3 years with the club.
The Brazilian went on to later join Reggiana and Atlético Mineiro, which was followed by a successful move to Galatasaray that saw him win 2 league titles, 2 Turkish Cups, a UEFA Cup, and UEFA Super Cup. Taffarel made one final return to Parma in 2001, where he managed to win yet another Coppa Italia title.
Taffarel was an important figure for the Brazilian national side as well, for whom he won more than 100 caps. He also helped them win the 1994 World Cup, and also appeared in eight other major international tournaments over the course of a full decade.
The Brazilian goalie also won 2 Copa América titles (1989, 1997) and a silver medal at the 1988 Summer Olympic Games with Brazil. Taffarel was Brazil's No. 1 for the 1998 World Cup as well, where they reached all the way till the finals, but lost out to France.
A master goalkeeper and a polarizing figure
As a goalkeeper, Taffarel was lauded for being an effective and consistent player who possessed an excellent goalkeeping technique. He was someone who preferred to be direct and efficient, rather than showcasing the glitz and glamour of his position.
Some of his primary traits were his exquisite reflexes, positional sense, and calm composure in goal, as well as his penalty-stopping abilities. A particular aspect that made him stand out from the rest was the muscle power in his legs that he developed while playing beach volleyball in his youth. This helped him in achieving his surprising spring and elevation from a standstill position, and despite his modest stature, it gave him significant hang time and aided him in stopping penalties.
Another specialty of Taffarel was his quick speed when coming off the line, which also led to him showcasing his flair and skill with the ball at his feet. These abilities were also due to the fact that he played as a forward during his youth.
Just like any other goalie though, Taffarel also had his share of negatives. The Brazilian's lack of height, poor handling and decision-making at times, struggles when dealing with crosses, and nervousness while catching high balls were seen as shortcomings by many in his game.
He was quite a polarizing figure in the world of football, as he drew praise from the Brazilian fans and media for his decisive performances with the Brazil national team, but also drew criticism at times from Italian pundits over the mental aspect of his game, and his lack of development during his time in Serie A. There was a belief that his struggles to cope with his nerves was what ultimately robbed his opportunity to play for a top European club.
Despite all the setbacks and criticisms, Taffarel managed to finish his illustrious football career as a World cup winner and recipient of several major Italian and International titles. He retired from football in 2003, and will always be considered as one of the finest goalkeepers to have come from Brazil.
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