Liverpool transfers: Only crucial Taffarel decision saw Reds keep Alisson Becker

Liverpool risked losing Alisson Becker this summer amid a massive shakeup in the goalkeeping department. 

That’s according to the recently departed goalkeeping coach John Achterberg, who suggests that the Brazilian No.1 would have left the club if Taffarel was also forced into an exit.

Achterberg left Liverpool at the end of the season upon completion of a contract which was renewed back in 2021 - not long after Taffarel was recruited to the goalkeeping staff at the club.

That decision to hire Taffarel was driven by Alisson, who sought to work alongside the Brazil World Cup-winning goalkeeper.

Alisson renewed his contract in 2021 and as part of discussions over a new six-year deal he asked the club to bring Taffarel on board.

He’s worked in the Liverpool goalkeeping department ever since, combining his role with his Brazil national team duties.

All change in Liverpool backroom

This summer there has been widespread alterations behind the scenes at Anfield and the goalkeeping department is no exception.

Achterberg and fellow coach Jack Robinson left their roles during a turbulent off-season which also saw manager Jurgen Klopp and plenty more of his backroom head for the exit.

Taffarel was spared in the shakeup and Achterberg, hired by Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq, has now suggested that ‘smart’ decision ensured Alisson would remain in Liverpool’s goal.

Liverpool's smart decision over Taffarel

“Ali wanted me to stay, he wanted to keep the whole department," Achterberg told the Football Historian Podcast.

"The first day it [news of Jurgen Klopp's departure] went out was a shock for everyone and Ali said: ‘Yeah John, but I don’t want to change anything, I want to keep everything’.

“I said: ‘I understand’ but when this happened, my contract is finished at the end of the season and I don't want to gamble on it, if you like, and hope and see what would happen.

"That's what happened really. In the end, it was the right thing as well, because obviously Liverpool wanted to change the whole department basically.

“But in the end they were smart to keep at least Taffarel because if they would also change Taffarel they probably told Ali to find a new club basically because you have to be smart as well."

Alisson in demand

Alisson, 31, was strongly linked with the Liverpool exit door this summer with teams in the Saudi Pro League presenting an attractive option.

Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad were both in the market for new goalkeepers but have opted to look elsewhere having failed to convince Alisson to move to the SPL.

The Brazilian was reported to be open to a move away from Anfield, where he is under contract until 2027 and earning over £200,000 per week.

The Reds have since appointed a new goalkeeping coach in Fabian Otte, who most recently worked at the United States men’s national team.

Liverpool have lost Adrian San Miguel on a free transfer this summer with the Spaniard returning home with Real Betis.

There could still be movement for Caoimhin Kelleher, who is available for around £25 million and wants to prove himself as a first-choice elsewhere.