Robin Bairner
Arne Slot, Liverpool
© IMAGO
Liverpool have announced a surprise change that promises to have far-reaching consequences for the first team as manager Arne Slot makes a ruthless decision.
The Reds have made an official announcement confirming Giovanni van Bronckhorst has joined the Premier League champions as part of a backroom reshuffle in Slot’s staff, but it is in the goalkeeping department that a more shocking change has been made.
Xavi Valero returns to Liverpool after seven years at West Ham United. He was previously with the likes of Chelsea, Napoli and Real Madrid, playing a big role in the development of Petr Cech and Keylor Navas among others.
Equally, this means that Fabian Otte and Claudio Taffarel will depart the club.
Taffarel’s departure could signal the end of Alisson Becker’s Liverpool career, which began in 2018 when he was signed from Roma for €62.5 million.
The Reds’ decision to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia last summer hinted that time may be growing short on the 32-year-old’s time on Merseyside. The exit of his compatriot as the Georgia international arrives having spent last season on loan in Spain is the strongest indication yet that this will be the case.
Alisson’s future tied to Taffarel
Former Liverpool goalkeeper coach John Achterberg, who was at the club from 2011-2024, believes the Anfield side made a “smart” decision to retain Taffarel last summer – because sacking him would effectively mean pushing Alisson out of the door.
“Liverpool wanted to change the whole department basically,” he said in quotes relayed by the Liverpool Echo.
If they had also changed Taffarel, they probably would have told Ali to find a new club basically
- Former Liverpool goalkeeper coach John Achterberg
“They were smart to at least keep Taffarel, because if they had also changed Taffarel, they probably would have told Ali to find a new club basically.”
Now with the Brazilian coach leaving Anfield, it remains to be seen what might happen with Alisson, whose status as Liverpool No.1 appears to be seriously under threat.
The two-time Premier League winner featured on 35 occasions last season after being restricted by a handful of injury concerns.
Alisson has been linked with a potential move to the Saudi Pro League, where Liverpool team-mate Darwin Nunez may also wind up.
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