Liverpool players are adjusting to new training methods under Arne Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp.
With Klopp in control of sessions for over a decade, the Reds had most certainly grown accustomed to his style of training.
Klopp wasn’t always the major voice at the AXA Training Centre; he frequently delegated more hands-on instruction to assistant Pep Lijnders. Meanwhile, other Liverpool coaches chipped in.
This summer, things have shifted slightly, with Slot now serving as a head coach rather than manager. The Dutchman, along with number two Sipke Hulshoff, is in charge of his Liverpool squad’s training regimen.
Aside from those two, Anfield also has other specialist coaches. Goalkeeping coach Fabian Otte joined the new-look club this summer.
Steve Nicol blasts ‘garbage’ training drill.
Otte appears to be a highly fascinating Liverpool appointment. At 33, the German is even younger than Adrian, the former third-choice goaltender.
With Adrian gone and Alisson Becker still absent, Otte is currently working with some of Liverpool’s academy goalkeepers, as well as Caoimhin Kelleher.
Otte has a reputation for being unique in his approach, which has already shown in his early days with the Reds.
There has been a lot of discussion this week concerning one of the coach’s approaches. According to The Athletic, Otte has had Liverpool’s young goalkeepers train while wearing goggles designed to reduce peripheral vision.
It is an intriguing strategy that aims to ‘enhance players’ responses, hand-eye coordination, and technical skills by limiting the quantity of sensory input they receive during a given session.’
However, not everyone is experiencing it. When asked about the cutting-edge nature of the training on ESPN FC, Liverpool great Steve Nicol dismissed it as “garbage,” “nonsense,” and accused those involved of “taking the mick.”
“That’s taking the mick, what a lot of nonsense!” Nicol exclaimed. “I understand what the recommendation is and why they’re making it, but it’s crap.
“Why don’t you do that with the players, not just the goalies, if it’s so good? “Why don’t all the players do it as well?” The former right-back inquires. “What a load of rubbish.
“Will the goalies still be wearing their glasses during the shooting drills?” How foolish is that! I apologize for all of the crap and garbage. “I’ve seen some things, but…”
Liverpool goalkeepers receive a makeover.
It will be up to individual preferences whether individuals agree or disagree with Nicol. To be fair to the 62-year-old, he has over ten years of managing experience and has spent plenty of time on the training pitch.
You can say that the evidence will be in the pudding, as it always is with new training activities.
We’d prefer Otte to keep things simple and maintain a department that had thrived before to his arrival running well. However, new ideas are always appreciated.
Otte understands that he is taking over a group that may appear considerably different than it did under his predecessor, John Achterberg.
Caoimhin Kelleher is expected to quit Liverpool, following Adrian, giving the Reds a new second and third-choice this season. Perhaps Otte will be pleased with the changes that have been implemented.
