'We're working to get it right defensively'

The Reds have secured a single shut-out from 12 matches this campaign; however, the club's goalkeeping coach insists hard work is being implemented to ensure the defensive shape improves.

Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com from Melwood, Achterberg explained how collective responsibility will be the key if Liverpool are to return to a solidified stance at the back in the not too distant future.

Scroll down the page to read a full transcript of our chat with the Dutchman.

John, what are your reflections on the back of the Real Madrid game?

It was a bit of a shame with the result, but you could see they are a very good team with high quality players. Apart from the first 20 minutes they were the better side up until half-time and then in the second half we tried to stay in the game and try as hard as we could.

They are the benchmark as reigning European champions. Is it important we learn from these encounters and look at what they do?

Of course and you see how much experience they have compared to us and how many more Champions League games they have all played together. There is a huge difference. Hopefully, if we can be in the Champions League more often, then we can catch up with that and our players will get more experience.

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With Liverpool now playing two games a week, how much are you having to adjust things from a goalkeeping point of view?

From my point of view, I have to make sure our number two and three goalkeepers stay fit and they are ready and try and improve. With Simon Mignolet it's similar really because we need to make sure we are working on all the aspects as well, and adjust the intensity on certain days - like the day after the game - so he is fresh for when the game starts again.

Do you have to freshen the training sessions up or is it more or less the same?

We focus the sessions on where we think Simon has to improve on in his game. You vary the session but you get the same out of it because if you do the same session every day then you create a robot and that's not what it's all about, because the game is all about moments and you have to adjust to each moment differently.

How do you go about keeping Simon's confidence up and not let him be distracted by talk about clean sheets, because that's a big focus for a goalkeeper?

It's a big focus for the whole team. If you can keep a clean sheet as a team, then it means you have a fair chance of winning the game. For a goalkeeper it's no different and you want to save everything and do everything right and that is how you go into the game.

Because of  injuries Liverpool haven't been able to have a consistent back four. How much of a stumbling block has that been for us, in terms of trying to build up the communication between Simon and the back four?

Obviously there are a lot of new players that have come in and they have to gel and try and work together. The boss is working every week on defending to try and get things right and it will improve.

As much as everyone wants it to happen straight away, is it just a case of things like this take time to get it right?

It's always easier if you are playing year-in year-out with the same back four. When you make changes then the back four needs to settle.

Are you able to go to Simon after a game like Queens Park Rangers and tell him he played well or does he find it hard to take personal praise after a game like that?

It's frustrating if you concede in the last minute but with every game we look at everything, from what has gone well and what we can do better. We look at the positives and also the negatives because we need to work on them and improve.

Do your other goalkeepers have an important job in supporting Simon?

Yes. It's a team game. Until the No.2, in this case Brad Jones, gets his chance then obviously he has to play as well as he can. Any game he plays, whether it be in pre-season or in the Barclays Premier League, if Simon is injured and he gets a chance, then he has to be ready and do his job.

Hull City are without Allan McGregor and could be without Steve Harper, so an inexperienced goalkeeper could be thrown into the equation. Is that something that you could help our outfield players take advantage of?

Sometimes we can give them some advice and that will also, in general, be spoken about by the manager in his team talk when he speaks about individual players.

Do we need to start brightly and capitalise early like we did on many occasions last season?

You want to start sharp in games all of the time and you want to start off well. Last season we were starting really well and it was going well and we are looking to get that back in our game.

Sometimes you find with a goalkeeper when they are thrown into a match that they rise to the occasion, especially on a stage like Anfield. Is that something we hope doesn't happen this weekend?

Yes, you can swing it every way really. As a team we have to focus on trying to put the ball in the net, whoever is in goal, whether it is their first or last game. We have to test the goalkeeper and then see if he is nervous or isn't nervous, but the main thing is to get the ball into the back of the net.

Is it a case of - if we get one good performance that will lift everyone and a good run could come from that?

We just have to try and be positive and try and get our game going again, get the passing and intensity going and press well and defend well as a team. Hopefully we can do that on Saturday.