Liverpool are set to appoint a new goalkeeping coach as Jurgen Klopp‘s overhaul between the sticks continues—though it won’t spell the end for John Achterberg.
The Reds made a big statement with the £65 million signing of Alisson in the summer transfer window, with Loris Karius shipped out on loan to Besiktas.
That Klopp was willing to sanction a two-season spell in Istanbul for his former No. 1 proved a shared understanding between manager and supporters that change was required.
But for many fans, fingers should be pointed at Achterberg, whose role as goalkeeping coach has coincided with many years of difficulty in the first team.
Alisson has already made a strong impression at Anfield, and with Klopp backing Achterberg there is no suggestion he will be share Karius’ fate.
However according to the Telegraph‘s Chris Bascombe, Liverpool will make another appointment to assist the Dutchman in his duties at Melwood.
Jack Robinson, formerly of Man United and currently working with the FA, is set to arrive to support Achterberg, whose duties have been diluted due to youngsters being promoted.
Both Caoimhin Kelleher and Kamil Grabara are now regulars in the first-team setup, pushing each other for the role of third-choice, while U18s stopper Viteslav Jaros won’t be far behind.
The revamp continued with Danny Ward‘s summer sale to Leicester, while Simon Mignolet went from backup, to the verge of an exit, then back to No. 2 after Karius’ departure.
Now with the off-field alteration, it means an entirely new outlook for the Reds in the goalkeeping department, with the youngsters in particular set to benefit.
The Telegraph report suggests that Robinson will primarily work alongside Grabara, Kelleher and Co., with Achterberg remaining the senior member, focused on match preparation and training with Alisson and Mignolet.
Achterberg will also remain part of Klopp’s match-day retinue of coaches, taking his usual place in the dugout.
Robinson will mark the third significant change to the Reds’ training ground options among coaches for this season, following the return of Pepijn Lijnders and the part-time appointment of Thomas Gronnemark as a throw-in coach.
Meanwhile, Kelleher has been ruled out for “at least a month” after a training-ground collision with Divock Origi, according to the Liverpool Echo‘s James Pearce.
If Mignolet is also unavailable for Saturday’s trip to Tottenham, Grabara is likely to be named on the substitutes’ bench.
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