John Achterberg
Nationality: Dutch
Job: First-team goalkeeping coach
Former Tranmere Rovers FC goalkeeper John Achterberg first joined Liverpool FC in 2009, coaching goalkeeping at Academy level. He was promoted to the role of first-team goalkeeping coach in 2011 by Sir Kenny Dalglish and has remained in the position since, working under Brendan Rodgers and now Jürgen Klopp.
“When you hear a whisper that Liverpool might want you there’s not much thinking needed in your decision,” said Utrecht-born Achterberg, who spent 11 years at Prenton Park as a player and coach before working with LFC.
Klopp was appointed as Liverpool FC boss in 2015 and brought some members of his Borussia Dortmund coaching staff with him, but opted to integrate Achterberg into his set-up with the pair sharing a similar philosophy on the role of modern-day goalkeepers.
“My philosophy and Liverpool's philosophy has always been the same since I came here,” said Achterberg. “We like goalkeepers to be on the front foot, play high lines, be comfortable with their feet and also be good shot-stoppers.
“You have to look at the keepers as individuals, then your forthcoming opponents, and tailor their training to what you think is needed to help them for that next game. Once you have the game information on the opponent and what you believe they will do, you try to ensure the training helps the lads know what is likely to happen in the game and what they have to deal with.
“Next to that, you try to improve the individual attributes of the goalies: what they have to get better at. No keeper in the world is without mistakes, but we all want ours to make none! For the goalkeeper the biggest job is to stay calm, concentrate on doing the right things and be calm in mind to focus on making consistently good decisions.
“Even if he receives criticism, he must focus on his job and not let talk influence him. The goalie who makes an error is obviously highlighted more than the striker who misses a chance. That is the life of the goalkeeper and you have to deal with it.”
Achterberg – who recently described Alisson as “the best goalkeeper last season, as recognised by all the trophies he won,” – won't go into details on specifics on how Liverpool FC's number one works with him to improve: “this is private.” But he has explained how he personally fits in as part of the coaching team at Melwood.
“Goalkeeping coach is a part of the coaching team. The manager is the most important among us, he is the leader of the team. I try to help and support him, together with the team assistant managers, fitness coaches, nutrition support and medics. We always want to develop and get better.”
