Liverpool transfer failings unearthed as triple miss revealed by coach
Goalkeeping coach John Achterberg has lifted the lid on past Liverpool recruitment issues but admits they now have a world-class goalkeeper in the ranks.
The Reds can rely on Alisson as their last line of defence and he rarely disappoints. The 29-year-old is widely recognised a one of the best keepers in world football, with 48 Brazil caps to his name. He moved to Anfield from Roma in the summer of 2018 and has made 139 appearances in all competitions.
Despite his prowess in goal, the South American has even contributed at the other end of the pitch. His late headed goal earned the Merseysiders a 2-1 victory over West Brom in May and a spot in the Champions League.
Alisson solved Liverpool’s goalkeeping problems after both Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius had failed to convince. But it seems as though other players could have been recruited if club officials had listened to Achterberg.
Six Newcastle managers who were worse than Steve Bruce
The Dutchman has been Liverpool’s goalkeeping coach for 10 years. And it appears his advice over which shot-stoppers should be bought have sometimes fallen on deaf ears.
He recommended Manuel Neuer, Samir Handanovic and Marc-Andre ter Stegen to the club to no avail.
“[In 2011,] I said [to director of football Damien Comolli], ‘I did see two really good goalies I like’,” he told The Redmen TV. “One was Neuer – he was with Schalke then – and the other one was Handanovic.
“So he said ‘Neuer is going to Bayern, that is already done’, but obviously I didn’t have this information when I told him.”
Achterberg fails to convince Rodgers
Managers are constantly being bombarded with suggestions for new players. Most do not end up joining and another that fell by the wayside was Ter Stegen.
He joined Barcelona from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2014 after the north-west giants failed to react.
“I recommended Ter Stegen when Brendan [Rodgers] was here. He was at Gladbach and I told Brendan about him,” added Achterberg. “So a few weeks later Brendan came to me and said: ‘I got a call off Chris Hughton and he says this goalie playing for Gladbach is a good goalie’.
“So I said ‘yeah, that’s what I tried to say to you!’. But then, of course, he goes to Barca.”
Liverpool currently sit second in the Premier League standings, just one point behind Chelsea. They have scored 17 top-flight goals and conceded only six.
Many pundits have tipped them to challenge Manchester City for the title this term and Alisson will doubtless play a massive part.
READ MORE: Klopp favourite makes Liverpool title boast with secret weapon revealed
The post Liverpool transfer failings unearthed as triple miss revealed by coach appeared first on TEAMtalk.