Liverpool`s goalkeeping coach, John Achterberg, believes Brendan Rodgers has all the tools at his disposal for a healthy campaign at the back this season, following the acquisitions of Alberto Moreno, Javier Manquillo, and most impressively, Dejan Lovren from Southampton. After a dismal spell at the back last term, Liverpool are hopeful of rectifying their misfortunes. However, John Achterberg, believes the signs shown in the early stages of Lovren`s Anfield career, indicate that the Croatian will have a long and successful time on the Anfield surface, and the Dutchman specifically noted his brilliant communication skills.
"It's very important for any defender and goalkeeper that communication works well between them," Achterberg outlined to Liverpoolfc.com at Melwood.
"They are already training together. If you play as a centre-half in any team, most rules are the same. You are just learning from each other and looking at the movement of each other to pick up the right positions.
"We know what to expect, what to do and how to handle different situations. Simon always needs to look for the right balance in the team; when we're attacking, we need to make sure the defence behind the ball is set up correctly.
"When we're defending, the combination of centre-halves squeeze up to the ball, close down and make sure that the gaps are small and tight."
"As a whole team, we want to improve defensively because obviously the fewer goals you concede the more chance you have to win games and the more clean sheets you keep.
"That's what we'll be focusing on - it's communication between the defence, Simon and the whole team from the front to the back. Hopefully we can improve.
"There are a lot of new players that have come into the club to help the team improve. I definitely think we will improve.
"We have already kept a few clean sheets in the recent games; we're improving that side of things by working in training."