Coach who recommended Alisson prompts Liverpool to target Dutch international
Liverpool are keeping a close eye on a Dutch international after the coach who recommended Alisson Becker revealed his talks with his Feyenoord counterpart.
Liverpool have a superb hit rate in the transfer window in recent years, though few signings have been as big of a success as Alisson. The goalkeeper is arguably the world’s finest in the position and his ability on the ball has often proved pivotal in kick-starting his side’s lightning quick attacks.
Now, speaking via the Mirror, Reds goalkeeping coach John Achterberg has revealed a former Liverpool goalkeeper was the first to bring Alisson to his attention.
“Many years ago, it was Doni who told me that I should keep a close eye on a young keeper over in Brazil,” said Achterberg.
Doni was on Liverpool’s books between 2011-13, acting primarily as back-up to Pepe Reina. But since leaving the club, he has remained in contact with Achterberg and has advised on goalkeeping targets.
“He said, ‘Keep watching Alisson Becker – he’s got something’. So I tracked his career and watched him a lot when he was in Serie A with Roma. When the club was searching for a new keeper, his name came up.
“I’ve got no influence on our budgets and I can’t decide which keeper we will bring in, but I do offer advice when it comes to keepers.
“And, when the time was right, I was happy to pass on what I knew.”
Achterberg then revealed he has been in contact with his Feyenoord counterpart over Dutch international Justin Bijlow.
The 23-year-old has excelled with Feyenoord in recent years, leading to his call-up to the national side in 2021.
And while Achterberg stressed there is no immediate transfer in the pipeline, he admitted Bijlow is certainly on their radar.
“The steps Feyenoord keeper Justin Bijlow is making at club level – and also with Holland – are good.
“I speak to his goalkeeping coach at Feyenoord, Khalid Benlahsen, from time to time.
“I’m just saying that I’m watching his progress – I’m not saying that Liverpool should look at him.”
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Meanwhile, Liverpool are reportedly closing in on attacking midfielder Kacper Kozlowski – who has been compared to Kevin De Bruyne in Poland.
The 17-year-old currently plays for Pogon Szczecin in his homeland. However, his stay there looks set to be brief. That’s because a number of top European suitors are all fancying a move to sign him.
And according to the Sunday Mirror, it is Liverpool who are leading the charge for the teenager. They report Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig and AC Milan are also fancing a move for the youngster.
However, the paper reports that it is Liverpool who have already opened talks over a deal.
And while his club, Szczecin don’t want to sell in January, a summer switch to Anfield looks a distinct possibility.
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