You can have superb options in each outfield position but a title-winning team demands the presence of a formidable goalkeeper as well. Liverpool learned that the hard way during the 2018 Champions League final.
Keepers are there to make outstanding saves that should count for goals, but they also have a responsibility to guide their defensive line and assure the rest of the team with their reliability.
In the modern game, the men who are the team’s last line of defence are also its launchpad for attacks and need to be proficient with their feet – picking out the best is no easy feat.
It’s been 12 months since we last released our Tiered Rankings and here from Tier 1 to Tier 4, in ascending order, we examine eight of the best goalkeepers in the world right now.
The players have been measured by their form over the last year with talent, statistics and reputation used as a guide.
TIER 4
Thomas Strakosha (Lazio)
Lazio have the best defensive record in Serie A this season and are just a point behind Juventus at the summit. That doesn’t happen without the efforts of an outstanding goalkeeper.
Thomas Strakosha has made some phenomenal point-blank saves this term and is one of the best at diving low to stop shots on either side.
Thwarting Edin Dzeko twice in Rome and extraordinary successive saves at home to Hellas Verona certainly make the highlight reel.
The Albanian is competent with the ball at his feet but it’s his powerful throwing that’s a threat to oppositions on the break.
The 25-year-old does struggle on occasion when attempting to pluck balls out of the air but excels when he decides to punch, clearing the danger by some distance.
Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus)
Replacing an all-time legend in Gianluigi Buffon as Juventus’ number one sounds like an impossible task but Wojciech Szczesny never hesitated when he picked up that seemingly poisoned chalice and has taken everyone by surprise.
The Poland international has always shown great promise even during his time at Arsenal but since his move to Serie A, first with AS Roma and then Juve, he’s curbed his reckless tendencies and given way to sound decision-making.
After learning from Buffon before his one-season stint at PSG, Szczesny has developed into a complete keeper and has retained his starting berth despite the Italian great’s return.
The 29-year-old is at his peak and having learnt from past mishaps, isn’t taking his eye off the ball.
TIER 3
Andre Onana (Ajax)
Barcelona are well-stocked in the goalkeeping department with Ter Stegen the undisputed choice between the sticks and Neto serving as an able back-up. But such is the quality of Andre Onana that links to the former La Masia player persist.
Eye-catching saves consistently draw attention to the Ajax number one whose reflexes are among the best in the business.
He’s also excelled at saving penalties. In the last four seasons, the Cameroon international has stopped six out of 18 efforts from the 12-yard spot, boasting an impressive success rate of 33.3 per cent.
Where Onana can still improve though is his handling of aerial assaults but having just turned 24 this month, he shows tremendous potential to progress.
Ederson (Manchester City)
If there’s one keeper in the world who would be trusted to play in the outfield, it’s Ederson.
Yes, Alisson and Ter Stegen are no slouches on the ball either but while their distribution may rival that of the Manchester City custodian, he stands alone for pure technique in possession.
Predominantly left-footed, Ederson is fairly accomplished on his weaker side too and such is his prowess on the ball that Pep Guardiola has even stated that he’s City’s best penalty-taker.
The Brazilian is exceptionally quick off his line and sweeps up well behind a high defensive line while he’s capable of some spectacular saves too.
He can be a little too aggressive with his actions at times though which sometimes result in errors.
TIER 2
Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
At the other end of the Clasico rivalry stands Thibaut Courtois who endured a difficult start to life at Real Madrid.
Despite arriving for a fee of £35 million, Keylor Navas pushed him all the way for a starting role last season.
The Belgian eventually came out on top and has looked like his old self this term, leading La Liga with the most clean sheets (12).
He’s been a commanding presence between the sticks for Los Blancos with his physique and reach allowing him to dominate in the air and make fine saves from range.
He’s not entirely flawless though as evidenced by Jose Luis Morales’ goal for Levante. The forward’s fierce shot beat Courtois who inexplicably moved his hands away from the ball.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)
Not only does Marc-Andre ter Stegen have a safe pair of hands, but his feet are equally reliable, a growing requirement for goalkeepers in the modern game.
The German has spent much of his international career playing second fiddle to the original sweeper-keeper Manuel Neuer.
Given his spectacular performances for Barcelona and when called upon for Die Mannschaft in recent years, surely he’s surpassed the Bayern Munich number one who doesn’t even make this year’s list.
His composure on the ball and distribution rivals that of Alisson and Ederson while his phenomenal reflexes and shot-stopping gives even Oblak a run for his money.
Ter Stegen is world-class and aside from Messi, Barca’s best player over the last couple of seasons.
TIER 1
Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
The Mignolet mishaps and Karius catastrophes are now things of the past, little more than aged nightmares drifting deeper into the subconscious.
In Alisson Becker, Liverpool have a dream of a goalkeeper who’s proving to be increasingly reliable.
The Brazilian commands his 18-yard box with authority and regularly ventures beyond it to extinguish threats before they can manifest.
His speed off the line makes him one of the best sweeper-keepers in the business as does his exceptional distribution.
Both attributes are paramount to Liverpool’s capacity to operate with a high defensive line and play out from the back.
With a league-high 12 clean sheets, he’s a fantastic shot-stopper as well, staying alert with little to engage him for extended periods before springing to life when summoned.
Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)
After a 3-2 win at Anfield that secured Atletico Madrid’s progress to the Champions League quarter-finals, Diego Simeone said: “Barcelona have Messi who wins matches for them, and we have Oblak.”
That’s just the standard at which Jan Oblak performs, very Messi-esque.
He pulled off a series of world-class saves in a heroic display against Liverpool but Atleti fans have come to expect that of him.
Apart from being a phenomenal shot-stopper, an underrated quality of his is impeccable positioning. A miraculous save at Levante in January showed off his best assets.
He showed quick feet, using two crossover steps to rapidly move across goal, positioning himself perfectly and maintaining balance throughout. That allowed him to then push off his right foot and make a superb reflex save when the header was aimed back across him. Elite goalkeeping at its finest.
