By Emanuele Giulianelli
John Achterberg is the Dutch goalkeeping coach of Liverpool FC, the team Champions of Europe in charge.
As described on the official club’s website, he joined Liverpool's backroom staff in June 2009 after making the short trip across the Mersey from Wirral neighbours Tranmere Rovers.
After two years with the reserve team, in 2011 he become the First-team goalkeeping coach. We have spoken, in exclusive with him, for the Italian blog of 888sport!
How Has The Goalkeeper Role Evolved Over The Years?
"In our club, not in a different way than the past: we look for the all-round keeper who can play with feet, make saves, play behind the defense, sweep up, go up for crosses and is good in decision making.
"Basically, we look for the full package, so the market is not so big."
Do You Agree With Gasperini That Thinks The Future Of Football Is The Goalkeeper That Goes Up, In The Middle Of Two CBs, In Order To Start Attacks?
"If a football team use the goalkeeper as a player in buildup, possession and make the triangles to create options to play or in order to be a receiver in the game and so play out the box at times, again depend on the team you play for and their philosophy."
Playing Well With Feet Is Becoming More And More Important - Is It Essential Or Is There Still Room For Classic Goalkeepers?
"In my opinion, you have to create and develop a goalkeeper who can dominate all the aspects as named before! Making match winning saves is still a very important part of the keeper’s job, as having a jumping power speed reaction.
"If the keeper has learned and developed all the aspects of his role, he can play in every team. If a coach doesn’t teach him all the aspects, this fact will give limited options to the goalkeeper for which team he could play for."
Who Are, In Your Opinion, The Top Three Goalkeepers In World Football?
"I think Alisson was the best goalkeeper last season, as recognized by all the trophies he won!
"Then, you have a lot of keepers that, at the highest level, could win the trophy of the best, if they have a top season: Neuer, ter Stegen, Ederson, Neto, de Gea, Oblak, Courtois, Mignolet, Szczesny, Schmeichel. And I might forget a few other keepers.
"They all have individual good skills, and some aspects that make them suitable to play for many teams. Of course, I’m not here to tell what I think about them or to criticize other goalkeepers!"
Speaking About Alisson - He Showed Great Things At Roma But Has Improved Further At Liverpool - How Do You Work With Him?
"My philosophy is to prepare the keeper for the upcoming opponent team.
"We analyze together with the match analyst department the opponent skills and the attitudes of their individual players, than how the team play and, based on this, I prepare the next training session were we tell Alisson what we can expect to happen in the game and make some sessions to work on this.
"So, he’s able to know what kind of situations will happen in the game and he knows what he has to do and how he could deal with the situations we have practiced.
"I also speak to Alisson, in order to know from him what he wants and needs and which aspects he wants us to work on to improve.
"Because I consider it as a teamwork, we as coaches must provide everything to help the keeper to be ready for every match and in the best conditions as he can. Our aim is always to be better and improve."
Which Aspect Do You Think He Needs To Work On Most?
"He is a pretty all-round keeper; we always talk about his goalkeeping skills and work, but this is private."
Are You Happy With The Job With The Job He Is Doing?
"We always want to develop and get better."
The Role Of The Goalkeeping Coach Is Becoming More Important And Crucial Than In The Past - Do You Agree?
"Goalkeeping coach is a part of the coaching team. The manager Jurgen Klopp 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 medicals."
Out Of Curiosity - How Do You Motivate The 2nd And 3rd Goalkeepers? How Do You Make Them Feel Concentrated And Ready For Action?
"I behave in the training with them the same as I do with the first-choice keeper: we are all part of the team and we all need to be ready to play when needed.
"So, every goalkeeper in our team get the same attention and treatment, everyone works in order to stay fit and be ready when needed."
Liverpool Have A Top Class Backup Goalkeeper - What Do You Think About The Clubs That Regularly Alternate Two Different Goalkeepers?
"It’s important to find games for our second and even for the third-choice goalkeeper, so that they can be ready if we need them to play.
"And that’s why in many clubs use to alternate them in the many competition they compete; and that’s what we do too."
Three Names Of Goalkeepers To Look Out For In The Future
"There are a few ones we are following, as we always try to find the best young goalkeepers around the world for the future.
"Like every top club, you always look out for the next best. We work on this with the scouting department, but don’t do it in public."
Last question: Is The Role Of The Goalkeeper Different In The Premier League To The Champions League?
"The only difference is that in the Premier League more is allowed physical in challenges, but the way of playing and the goalkeeping style we have don’t change."
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Rui Vieira / AP Photo*
