Liverpool are starting to see their former coaching staff turn up in new jobs all over the world.
Along with Jurgen Klopp, seven members of the Reds’ backroom team left at the end of the season.
The most notable was obviously Pep Lijnders who has gone on to take over as head coach at RB Salzburg.
Two of Klopp’s Liverpool team have moved to Austria with Lijnders. Vitor Matos will be the Dutchman’s assistant, while head of conditioning Andreas Kornmayer is set to join, too.
Beyond that trio though, the futures of the other departing coaches was yet to be confirmed. Thanks to Steven Gerrard, that no longer remains the case.
John Achterberg officially joins Al Ettifaq
Gerrard has installed a Liverpool feeling to Al Ettifaq since joining last year. Having surprisingly brought Jordan Henderson onboard with him, the Liverpool legend also signed former Reds midfielder Gini Wijnaldum.
There have even been rumours that Stevie could be looking to bring in Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker. However, that looks unlikely to happen.
One reason it was thought that Al Ettifaq could have a chance with Alisson is that they were reportedly due to hire goalkeeping coach John Achterberg from Liverpool.
Achterberg had worked with Alisson ever since his arrival at Anfield in 2018 and his own affiliation with the club went back a further nine years.
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Having been hailed as an ‘incredible’ coach by Caoimhin Kelleher, it’s clear that Achterberg will be a big miss around the AXA Training Centre.
And it’s now been confirmed that Liverpool’s loss will be Al Ettifaq’s gain.
Taking to X on Saturday evening, the Saudi Pro League side confirmed that Achterberg has been hired as their new goalkeeping coach.
It seems that the Dutchman’s long time assistant at Anfield, Jack Robinson, will not be joining his former boss in Dammam, though. Al Ettifaq also announced the arrival of Achterberg’s number two, which will be another former Liverpool staff member, Andy Firth.
Liverpool still looking for new goalkeeping coach
After 15 years, no one at Liverpool will begrudge Achterberg his chance for a fresh start. The former Tranmere Rovers goalie was a terrific servant for the Reds.
However, after Jyri Nieminen turned down the chance to join Liverpool from Feyenoord, Achterberg’s exit leaves the Reds a little in the lurch.
They still have plenty of time before the players and staff reconvene at the training ground next month.
But it would be helpful if Liverpool could have their full coaching staff in place by that time. Right now, that seems difficult to acheive.
The good thing is that Claudio Taffarel is at least set to stay with the Reds. Unless Liverpool are able to find someone in the meantime, it seems likely that Taffarel will take temporary charge this summer.
For now then, all that’s left is to wish Achto well on his new journey. All the best, John.