Liverpool appoint Brazil legend Taffarel as goalkeeping coach

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Liverpool appointed Brazilian legend Claudio Taffarel as the club’s goalkeeping coach, the Reds announced Tuesday.

"In terms of goalkeepers, it means we have Alisson Becker, who for us is the best goalie in the world. We have Caoimhin Kelleher, who we really think is an exceptional, exceptional player," manager Jurgen Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com. "We have Adrian, who has shown his qualities since he arrived here. Then we have Marcelo Pitaluga, then we have Harvey Davies, so we have five goalies in different age groups, which is great but we want to have even more of these guys.”

Taffarel will work alongside current goalkeeping coaches John Achterberg and Jack Robinson after successfully obtaining a work permit.

One of the most iconic custodians of the modern era, Taffarel made 101 appearances for Brazil during his career, winning the World Cup in 1994 and a runners-up medal four years later.

The 55-year-old represented several clubs in Europe, including Parma and Galatasaray, before hanging up his gloves in 2003.

He was Galatasaray's goalkeeper when the Lions did a continental double, winning the 2000 UEFA Cup against Arsenal and the Super Cup against Real Madrid.

After retiring in 2003, Taffarel re-joined Galatasaray as a goalie coach, having two interim spells in charge of the Istanbul club in 2014 and 2015.