Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart has heaped praise on Liverpool's Alisson Becker, claiming the Brazilian will "forever be regarded as one of the best to play the position"

Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart has declared that Liverpool's Alisson Becker will "forever be regarded as one of the best to play the position" when he eventually departs Anfield.

Alisson is entering the final year of his contract at Liverpool, but revealed following Sunday's 3-1 triumph over Crystal Palace that his agent was in negotiations regarding his future at the club — a claim subsequently corroborated by the Brazilian's representative, Ze Maria Neis.

Alisson joined from Roma in the summer of 2018 for what was at the time a world-record fee for a goalkeeper, and the Brazil international has since gone on to collect six major honours, amongst them two Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2019.

Former Manchester City shot-stopper Hart, who earned 75 caps for England throughout his career, believes the seasoned Reds stalwart should be celebrated as one of the finest goalkeepers of his generation when he eventually moves on.

"One of the best to do it in the Premier League," Hart told The Athletic. "What I love is his simplicity.", reports the Liverpool Echo.

"He's not necessarily eye-catching in the way he moves, but it's the way he deals with everything. He makes massive saves. His one-on-one technique is unbelievable, and he has made it his own.

"He very rarely gets beaten one-on-one, which in this Premier League is incredible because you're up against some of the best strikers in the world.

"He's struggled a bit with injuries lately, but I think he'll forever be regarded as one of the best to play the position."

Alisson has been omitted from the latest Brazil squad and will return to first-team action when Liverpool welcome Manchester United to Anfield following the international break on 22nd November.

Reflecting on the win against Palace, he commented: "It is beneficial (to have a break), for sure. You have to use it right because you have a lot of time so if you don't train, if you don't prepare, time goes really quick and you need to stay sharp.

"It's not that I will sit on the couch for a week and then come back training. I still have to work hard but in my mind I can use the time to relax and be more with my family. It's a little bit against my will.

"What I always want is to be with the national team but I understand this is what I have at the moment and I will use this time and take the benefit from the rest."