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Alisson defends Liverpool goalkeeper coach

Cape Town - Alisson has come out in defence of Liverpool goalkeeper coach John Achterberg, who has faced severe criticism in recent months.

The 47-year-old former NAC Breda, FC Eindhoven and Tranmere Rovers goalkeeper joined Liverpool in 2009, and after coaching the reserve and academy goalkeepers, he was promoted to the first-team 2011.

Achterberg has been Alisson's mentor since the Brazil keeper signed from Roma this season, but took a fair share of the blame for Loris Karius' high-profile mistakes in the Champions League final.

Achterberg has the full support of his club, along with Alisson, who told the club's official website: "I’m really happy.

“John has proved to be not just a great goalkeeping coach but a great guy, a great person. Since I arrived I’ve noticed he’s loved by all here.

“He leaves me very calm and relaxed on a day-to-day basis and we learn from each other’s work. I’ve pointed out some areas that contribute to his work and likewise he has helped me with things I can improve in on the pitch.

“I believe the relationship between a goalkeeper and the goalkeeping coach needs to be an exchange, with a great deal of trust, and we have been developing this as a team, training together, and I’m getting on great with the other keepers.

“Kamil [Grabara] and Caoimhin [Kelleher] are players with great potential. I learn from them on the pitch as well.

“And of course there’s Simon [Mignolet], who has been at Liverpool a long time and a long time in the Premier League. He has been helping me a great deal in the day-to-day training and in games.

“They have all shown themselves to be great guys, great people.”

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