Alisson: We've made one statement - now we want to make more

See what the Brazilian had to say about that mouth-watering tie, the forthcoming derby against Lazio and more...

What do you make of the Champions League draw?

“There’s always excitement to learn who you are going to face. They are a great side, Liverpool have been doing well, are getting better and better. They still haven’t lost in the Champions League this season, so they’ll be a tough opponent.

“But when you arrive at this stage there’s not much difference between them all. It will be nice to see Salah, all of us love him. I am also good friends with Firmino – but they are all great players.”

Is it harder to win the World Cup or the Champions League with Roma?

“The Champions League with Roma – but football is played on the pitch, it’s got little to do with what is said off it.”

Did any of your Brazilian teammates write to you after the win over Barcelona?

“I spoke with Paulinho, who I wrote to, because we didn’t see each other after the game. He told me that he say a great side, he congratulated us. He said that it was an impressive atmosphere at the Olimpico and he told me that we can do great things.”

Did you watch the game again at five in the morning?!

“Yes, I watched it home – I had been at dinner with my friends. I couldn’t sleep, so watching it again was great, very emotional.”

But on Sunday there is the derby...

“The derby means a lot to this city and also for us. They are doing well in the league, they are out of Europe now but that is football. We have to play with great discipline; Milinkovic and Immobile are top players. It’ll be a good game.”

You beat Barca with a new formation, will you continue with it?

“The boss decides the formation. It worked against Barcelona, but those were the instructions in training and the squad followed them. Then we had the desire to make a statement and now we want to do that again, while keeping our feet on the ground.

Your name is always being discussed in transfer market stories these days.

“My future is the present and my present is Roma. I have a contract, I’m happy here, me and my family. I have a great relationship with my teammates. We also still have to ensure we are in next season’s Champions League – my thoughts are focused on this.”