Steven Gerrard brings in former Liverpool player as move for Jurgen Klopp coach also confirmed

Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool legend who is now in charge of Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq, has brought in another former Reds player after signing Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum — but this time, it is to be part of his coaching staff.

Former Liverpool academy ace Andy Firth, who Gerrard also took to Rangers when he was the manager of the Scottish Premiership giant, is set to join the Al Ettifaq backroom team to work with the goalkeeping department. Firth never played a senior game for the Reds and is still only 27.

"A big thanks to @LFC for having me back in with the U21s & coaching the young keepers," he posted on social media after his move to Ettifaq was announced. "I’ve been so lucky to work with some amazing players and staff since being back at the club again & I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them all."

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Firth conducted his coaching badges while working at Liverpool's academy. And it appears that he will be heading further down that path rather than continuing to play after representing lower league sides including Witton Albion and Connah’s Quay Nomads.

Meanwhile, former Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achterberg's move to Al Ettifaq has also been confirmed. It was widely known already that the Dutchman was joining Gerrard's staff but the Saudi outfit has now confirmed the move in an official statement.

Having lost several key staff members behind the scenes, Arne Slot will need to be busy appointing a variety of new coaches within his backroom team. Pep Lijnders, Jurgen Klopp's assistant, is now the manager of Red Bull Salzburg, where he made Vitor Matos his number two. Ex-head of fitness and conditioning Andreas Kornmayer has also moved to the Austrian Bundesliga side.

Liverpool.com says: Gerrard was inevitably going to look to Liverpool for some of his coaching team. It will be interesting to see how the project in Saudi Arabia unfolds as he continues to build something in the emerging league.