News'A really good direction' – Alisson Becker on LFC's new goalkeeping set-up

As part of the transition that saw Arne Slot replace Jürgen Klopp in the Reds dugout during the summer, there were changes behind the scenes too.

Long-serving goalkeeping coach John Achterberg, and assistant Jack Robinson, said farewell to the club and Fabian Otte was recruited as head of first-team goalkeeper coaching, with World Cup winner Claudio Taffarel also remaining on the staff.

On the playing side, meanwhile, Vitezslav Jaros returned from a successful loan spell with Sturm Graz and Harvey Davies has taken on a more permanent role at senior level, after the experienced Adrian departed.

For the tweaked group, it has been a case of so far, so good.

With Alisson, Caoimhin Kelleher and Jaros each having featured between the posts in 2024-25, the Reds have recorded 12 clean sheets and won 20 of their 24 matches in all competitions.

Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com about how things have adapted for the ’keepers under the new regime, Alisson said: “It’s not easy to change, I had – and have still – a really good relationship with John and Jack.

“And with Taffa, all three working together were really good. Not only for myself but also for the other goalkeepers as well, but the club decided to change, so you have to just accept that.

“Fabian is a great guy, full of energy, young, brings a lot of quality. He didn’t change too much, to be honest, because when he came in we had a lot of talks about how I like to work, how the goalies like to work.

“I said to him, I have a way of working but I want you to bring something because he came here to put something on the table as well – and I am smart enough to know that I don’t know all things about football.

“He is someone who came in a humble way to adapt and I can adapt as well, it’s not a problem. He is helping us in a really good direction, helping Caoimh, helping the other goalies, Jaros and Harvey. That’s an important part as well, it’s not only about myself.

“We are doing well so far and I hope we keep working well to reach the targets we have. They are big targets, we set those targets at the beginning of the season when we talked – me, Fabian and Taffa together – so it’s important for us to keep a good level of work so we are prepared for all situations for games, for the whole season.”

The Brazil international returned from a two-month injury lay-off earlier in December and has to date made 10 appearances under Slot.

Alisson had, of course, previously solely known Klopp at the Liverpool helm following his 2018 arrival on Merseyside from AS Roma.

So, how have his specific instructions altered with the new boss?

• More from Alisson: Clean sheets, Tottenham and targeting 'something special'

“I think, speaking about myself, it’s not too different, but Arne has a particular way of playing, a playing style from his team, that demands more ball possession that maybe demands more short passes from the goalkeeper,” said the No.1.

“To be involved more in the possession if the opponent presses you high. He brings a lot of good alternatives and I think it is not so much about the differences, but talking about the good things Arne has brought to the team and his way of working as well, every day to improve the team in respect of what we did in the past, of what we did in the recent games as well.

“He is not only satisfied by winning the games – as I said before, he wants to create a solid team defensive-wise and offensive-wise as well, creating as many chances we can create without conceding too many chances to the opponent.

“He has his beliefs and he is transmitting these beliefs to the team, and the players are doing well so far to perform the way he wants.”