How Liverpool missed out on Manuel Neuer and Samir Handanovic before Alisson signing

When Alisson joined Liverpool from AS Roma in 2018 for a then-world record £65m, this brought an end to a years-long attempt to replace the highly successful Pepe Reina between the sticks at Anfield.

In a bid to address the void left by the Spaniard's acrimonious departure, the club went through a whole host of goalkeepers from 2013 onwards, including Simon Mignolet, Brad Jones, Adam Bogdan, Danny Ward and Loris Karius—none of whom were able to nail down a starting berth with any conviction.

Now, former Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achterberg has revealed his personal frustration at the club's failure to sign FOUR goalkeepers he recommended during his tenure.

Achterberg recommended four keepers

Achterberg, who served the Reds from 2009 until his departure this summer, detailed his attempts to bring high-calibre goalkeepers to Anfield, only to see the moves fall through.

Sharing his insights on the Aldo Meets podcast with ECHO columnist John Aldridge, he said: “When Roy [Hodgson] was looking for a number two goalie, I said we need to take Thomas Sorensen.”

“He was an experienced Danish international, the level I was looking at. But Mike Kelly [Hodgson's assistant manager] decided on Brad Jones.”

Sorensen, who Achterberg recommended in 2010, remained at Stoke City for five more seasons, while Jones made just a handful of first-team appearances.

Liverpool missed out on Manuel Neuer

However, Achterberg's suggestions also included some world-class stoppers who went on to have excellent careers elsewhere.

“Actually, my first goalie I said to [sporting director Damien] Comolli was [Manuel] Neuer at Schalke," he said. "I said he would be good for us, but he said he’s going to Bayern."

Neuer, who just featured at Euro 2024, remains a key player for the Bavarian giants at the age of 38, after first joining in 2011.

The second keeper he recommended was Samir Handanovic, who was at Udinese at the time. However, "Comolli said he didn’t like it."

"I watched him against Ireland. He’s physical, deals well with it, is a good shot-stopper, and is of good size. Then he went to Inter Milan.”

The Slovenian keeper became a mainstay and club captain at San Siro, until he was displaced by Andre Onana in his final season before retiring.

Too slow for Neto

Achterberg also revealed that he recommended the club to sign Neto from Fiorentina.

“We tried Neto but went too late. I told them early that Neto would be free, but we went in January, and he had already signed for Juventus. We were too late.”

Neto moved to Turin in the summer of 2015, later signing for Valencia and Barcelona, before joining AFC Bournemouth in 2022, where he is now the club captain.

Evolution in the goalkeeper department

Achterberg's tenure saw Liverpool's goalkeeping department evolve significantly. When his advice eventually was heeded, it led to the arrival of Alisson Becker, coinciding with one of the greatest periods in the club's history.

Thanks to the Dutchman, who was promoted to first-team goalkeeping coach in 2011, Liverpool's current goalkeeping setup, with Alisson, Caoimhin Kelleher and Viteszlav Jaros, appears more robust than in years past.

Following Achterberg's departure alongside manager Jurgen Klopp, Fabian Otte has taken on Achterberg's mantle, while Brazil World Cup winner Claudio Taffarel remains on the staff.

Fenway Sports Group also hired Hans Leitert as head of global goalkeeping, reflecting a renewed commitment to the position.