Liverpool have announced the signing of former West Ham and Betis goalkeeper Adrian on an initial two-year deal.
The Reds were in the market for a goalkeeper after Simon Mignolet left the club for a return to his homeland, after six years at Anfield.
Adrian wasn’t retained by the Hammers at the end of his contract, but has bags of experience having spent six years with the London club, but Jurgen Klopp is convinced he’s unearthed a gem.
“I think this is the perfect solution for us in this moment, replacing talent and experience like for like,” he told the club’s official site.
“With [Alisson] and Simon, I felt like we had two ‘No1s’ and in many ways we have repeated that with Adrian. This is important.
“He is a ‘keeper who knows the Premier League, who has played in pressure situations and has the highest quality.
“They are big gloves to fill because Simon was such an outstanding professional and contributed to the group even when not in the starting XI.
“Everything we know about Adrian tells us he has the personal qualities to go with his clear playing talent to ensure this area of the team is not weakened.”
It’s nice that Klopp clearly has a lot of respect for Mignolet; he obviously recognises the presence the Belgian international offered off of the pitch.
The boss is spot on by saying Adrian has big gloves to fill – Migs was the club’s second-longest serving player, after Jordan Henderson, and he will be missed.
In terms of pure ability, the Spaniard is likely to be able to step between the sticks for us when Alisson needs a rest. I full expect to see Adrian used often in the FA and League Cups this season.