When Steven Gerrard calmly converted a crucial penalty to down Tottenham at Anfield last month, the Liverpool captain made a beeline for one man in the Reds dugout – John Achterberg.

As part of his pre-match preparation and analysis before every game, the goalkeeping coach had provided the skipper with advice on where the visiting stopper might dive if faced with a spot-kick.

"It was very nice - I didn't expect it, to be honest," the modest Dutchman told Liverpoolfc.com.

"That's just part of trying to help as much as you can as a whole department. I get it with the help of the analysis boys - they help out a lot and do all the work behind the scenes.

"You give the penalties to him and present it; then he is in charge and he needs to deal with the pressure.

"You always watch what 'keepers do and everything that happens in the goal. It's good to be able to help out; if they ask you your opinion, you'll give it, but it's mainly the player who will do the job and have to handle the pressure.

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"We've been doing this for a few years. When the new boss came in, there were a few changes - I asked him if he still wanted to see the penalties and he said yes.

"So we make sure he gets the penalties. Sometimes he'll ask what I think and I'll give him my thinking. He has to make the decision that he feels is right."

Gerrard's remarkable record from 12 yards in a Red shirt means supporters rarely see another player take responsibility, although Daniel Sturridge found the net against Swansea with a penalty.

So, who would be handed a spot-kick should the midfielder ever be unavailable?

"I think Luis will be on it, and Stewart would be able to take a penalty as well if you see him in training. There's a few who can take it," added Achterberg.

"It's the type of player who decides that he can do it - you need to have that feeling and quality to be able to put the ball in."

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Achterberg initially arrived at Anfield in 2009, being promoted to first-team goalkeeping coach two years later, and revealed he is thoroughly enjoying life under Brendan Rodgers.

He said: "It's very good - he gets the whole team involved and asks about opinions. He has close relations with everyone, so you really feel part of it. That's very good and I enjoy working with him.

"There's a good atmosphere in the team and around the place everyone is happy, apart from if we don't win obviously - which is normal.

"There's a good mentality in the team, wanting to win and achieve things. We are progressing that way, scoring a lot more goals - so hopefully that will carry on."