OPINION
It’s been a steep learning curve for Adrian at Liverpool.
The Spanish goalkeeper had a wealth of experience before joining the Reds from West Ham, and was arguably bought on the basis of that knowhow alone.
But since accepting a role that many people assumed would see him sat on the bench most weeks, the 32-year-old has been thrust into the limelight after a series of unforeseen circumstances.
On the opening night of the new season he was thrown in at the deep end when first choice stopper Alisson Becker pulled up injured, only to make himself a hero a few days later when he saved the vital penalty in the UEFA Super Cup win over Chelsea.
Last weekend was a different story entirely, however.
Liverpool might have won 2-1 against Southampton, but it was hardly a convincing victory, and it was made a whole lot nervier by Adrian’s ludicrous attempted clearance that cannoned into his open net off the grateful Danny Ings.
As far as howlers go, it was up there, and BBC pundit Kevin Kilbane wasted little time in letting the Spaniard know what he thought about it.
Speaking on Final Score, as quoted by the Echo (19.53), he said: “He doesn’t look comfortable and he didn’t look comfortable all through the game.
“He struggled and he made a dreadful error. Adrian certainly had a nightmare.
“One to forget.”
Kilbane isn’t wrong about this one. Adrian did have a nightmare, and his blunder is one that he won’t want to see again in a hurry.
But he get past that error as soon as possible.
With no guarantees as to when Alisson will be back, and with a looming match against fellow unbeaten league leaders Arsenal to come this weekend, the 6’3″ giant [Transfermarkt] needs to get back on top of his game as soon as possible.
