07 May 2024 , 09:49
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Liverpool keeper coach John Achterberg is set to team up again with Anfield legend Steven Gerrard when he leaves the Merseyside club at the end of the season.
Achterberg, 52, has been offered a new challenge in the Saudi Pro League as part of Gerrard’s coaching team at Al-Ettifaq after announcing he is quitting the Reds when Jurgen Klopp steps down as manager when the Premier League campaign finishes a week on Sunday.
The Dutchman will take with him a wealth of expertise and experience after serving Liverpool brilliantly for the past 15 years. Gerrard saw Achterberg’s work at close quarters when he was at the club.
The former Tranmere keeper has worked on Merseyside since moving to Prenton Park from FC Eindhoven in 1998. Achterberg joined Liverpool’s backroom staff under Rafa Benitez in 2009, initially working in the club’s academy.
But he stepped into a senior role two years later and has become a popular member of staff at Anfield. Achterberg played a key role in identifying current No 1 Alisson Becker as a potential target before the Brazilian signed from Roma in a £67million deal in 2018.
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Achterberg announced last week that he was stepping down alongside Klopp and was looking for new opportunities. He said: “After 15 years at the club, I have decided with a heavy heart to leave LFC.
“It has been an unbelievable and great journey for me and my family. I have loved each day working at this amazing club, but after a long think I feel it could be right for me to start a new challenge.
Liverpool's goalkeeping coach John Achterberg is set to link up with Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq (Rene Nijhuis/BSR Agency/Getty Images)“It has been a privilege to work for the biggest and greatest club in world football with its amazing supporters. Whether they are Scouse or non-Scouse, I loved them all worldwide. A massive thank you goes to our manager Jurgen Klopp.
“What joy he gives to all of us. Klopp has fulfilled all our dreams at LFC. He is one of (the) best managers in the history of the city, the club and world football. He created world-class teams with his man-management skills, he brought us back to being believers, winners, and a force in European and world football.
“For me personally, I cannot thank him enough for everything he has done for me and my family, for the trust he gave me to do my job to the best I can, the joy, inspiration and the great leadership.”
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