Former Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achterberg has advised new manager Arne Slot to sell one Reds player this summer.
Achterberg was one of a number of staff departures at the end of last season after Jurgen Klopp announced he would be leaving the club.
The Dutchman, who spent 11 years in English football as a player for Tranmere Rovers between 1998 and 2009, actually preceded Klopp in arriving at Anfield upon the conclusion of his playing career.
Achterberg was appointed as Liverpool’s goalkeeping coach in 2011, meaning he spent time with three different managers – Klopp, Kenny Dalglish and Brendan Rodgers – during his time at the club.
He has therefore seen plenty of players come and go at Anfield – and now thinks that Slot should allow one first team player to leave this summer.
Speaking on The Football Historian Podcast, Achterberg spoke of his desire to see Caoimhin Kelleher get more first team opportunities at another club.
He explained: “I said to Kelleher like five years ago, when he not played too many games, ‘You know you’re better than De Gea, I tell you now. You’re a lot more technical, a lot better at kicking, your reactions are a lot better but you need to play to make it happen’.
“Hopefully he gets a move, because he deserves to be number one. You know if you have two goalies like that you probably have the best goalie squad Liverpool probably ever had in a number one and two position in the same time – it’s crazy.”
The number one that Achterberg refers to is, of course, Alisson, who has been Liverpool’s undisputed first choice since arriving from Roma in 2018.
But Kelleher has been hugely impressive in the few first team opportunities he has received in both cup and league competitions.
He played a two-month spell of games uninterrupted between February and April last season due to Alisson’s injury, where he again showed why he could become a first choice goalkeeper elsewhere.
If he stays at Liverpool, the Republic of Ireland international will need to continue to bide his time.
Featured Image Credit: Getty / Football Historian Podcast
Topics: Liverpool, Arne Slot, Jurgen Klopp, Football, Transfers, Premier League