'I'm happy I can work with him' - Karius lauds Achterberg
There was a degree of bemusement on social media when photos emerged of Loris Karius engaged in a somewhat unusual training exercise with John Achterberg late last month.
The pictures showed Liverpool's goalkeeping coach armed with rugby tackling pads and doing his best to disturb his student's attempts to claim a high ball slung into the penalty area.
When asked about the drill, Jürgen Klopp described it as 'specific training for goalkeepers in the Premier League' - a tactic that seems to be reaping rewards on the evidence of Karius' increasing confidence in the face of aerial bombardment.
And the Reds' No.1 has now heaped praise upon Achterberg for his meticulous approach to preparing the club's goalkeepers for the challenges that await them each weekend.
"He just tries to prepare us for the games so if we know [we are facing] a team that tries to be very physical and is good from set pieces for example, he will try to prepare us the best he can and make it like it will be in the games," he told Liverpoolfc.com.
"He always thinks it through very well so I'm happy I can work with him. It's not just the rugby pads, we always prepare very well."
Although Karius is pleased with his progress so far, he admits there is still a long way to go.
The German says the broken hand that interrupted his pre-season campaign slowed his adaptation process down, but is certain he will make up for that lost time with Klopp's guidance.
"We have a different style of play, so I'm adapting to the style and trying to help the team with my skills," he added.
"There's still a lot of work we can do but I'm getting more and more confident with the role they gave me and what they expect from me.
"Of course after the injury I had to find my feet again a little but now I feel very good, very confident, and I'm sure I'll develop under this manager in the future.
"I've only played seven or eight games so it's still very early but I'm sure I'll take the next step."
Of course, the summer signing from Mainz has also had to get used to new surroundings as well as teammates and tactics.
But he has liked what he has seen of Anfield and the Reds' support thus far.
"It's good, the support is always fantastic, the stadium is always full and the people are always passionate," he continued.
"Of course you have to focus on the game, you can't look around during the 90 minutes and say, 'This stadium is so great!' but as a player you can feel the positive energy.
"The noise pushes you on, even though you can't [take it all in] the whole 90 minutes, you always know they're behind you and pushing you, that's what you feel in the game."