Open in App
  • Local
  • U.S.
  • Election
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Education
  • Real Estate
  • Newsletter
  • Liverpool.com

    Arne Slot warned Liverpool change would force Alisson to seek transfer

    By Tom Malley,

    2024-07-27

    Arne Slot has been warned of a Liverpool change that would force Alisson to seek a transfer away from Anfield this summer.

    Jurgen Klopp's departure at the end of last season also meant a number of the backroom coaching staff following him out the doors at Anfield, leaving just a few to welcome Slot into the building come July 1. However, one person who did remain will be crucial to the future of Reds shot-stopper Alisson.

    The Brazilian has been Liverpool's no.1 ever since arriving from Roma in 2018, making more than 260 appearances in just six years and reaching a milestone of 100 clean sheets for the club, becoming only the seventh player to do so.

    READ MORE: Former Jurgen Klopp coach tells Arne Slot to sell one Liverpool player after private Man Utd chat

    READ MORE: Alisson Becker may never have joined Liverpool without failed $68m transfer attempt

    Alisson remains contracted at Anfield until the summer of 2026 and despite interest from Saudi Arabia already this summer, looks set to remain on Merseyside. However, former Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achterberg has warned Slot that one simple mistake could risk him losing the 31-year-old for good.

    According to the Dutchman, getting rid of current goalkeeping coach Claudio Taffarel would spell the end of Alisson's Liverpool career. Speaking on The Football Historian Podcast , Achterberg said: "In the end it was the right thing (to keep Taffarel) because, obviously, Liverpool wanted to change the whole department.

    "But in the end they were smart to keep at least Taffarel, because if they would also change Taffarel they probably (would have) told Ali to find a new club basically. You have to be smart as well, and it's good because Taffa is a really good guy and you know it's perfect that he's there for them."

    Brazil legend Taffarel, who is one of the most decorated goalkeepers in Brazilian history with 101 caps, two Copa Americas and one World Cup, was brought into Anfield in November 2021 to ultimately work alongside Alisson.

    The 58-year-old is also the goalkeeping coach for the Seleção, having taken up the role in 2014, meaning he consistently works with Liverpool's no. 1 throughout the season. With the pair working so closely together, Achterberg fears that the departure of Taffarel could spell the end for Alisson, too.

    Therefore, it would be a wise decision for Slot to stick with the Brazilian coach instead of shipping him out with the rest of Klopp's coaching staff from last season. The Dutchman has already added elite development coach Aaron Briggs, lead physical performance coach Ruben Peeters, and head of first-team goalkeeper coaching Fabian Otte to aid him during his maiden campaign at Anfield.

    Sipke Hulshoff and former Everton player John Heitinga have also been appointed as Slot's assistant coaches this summer. However, the Dutchman might not be done there, with the Liverpool ECHO recently reporting that a "set-piece specialist" is now "close" to coming aboard - something Klopp never bothered with.

    Expand All
    Comments / 0
    Add a Comment
    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
    Most Popular newsMost Popular
    Total Apex Sports & Entertainment3 days ago
    Total Apex Sports & Entertainment15 hours ago

    Comments / 0