In case some fans are not aware, Spanish goalkeeper Liverpool still employ Adrián, believe it or not. The former West Ham shot-stopper signed for the Merseyside club in 2019 and quickly made his impact known as he saved Tammy Abraham's penalty in the 2019 Super Cup against Chelsea, which Liverpool won.
He went on to make 18 appearances in all competitions that season as Alisson Becker struggled at times with niggling injuries. However, in the next three seasons combined, he played just eight games in all competitions for Liverpool with three of those games coming in the Premier League.
The lack of game-time and his increasing age (he's 36) has got fans wondering just why Jürgen Klopp has decided to keep the goalkeeper.
Positive Dressing Room Presence
Adrián is the third-choice keeper at the club, behind Alisson and Caoimhin Kelleher, effectively meaning he'll most likely play no games unless both keepers suffer injuries.
Therefore, the Spaniard's role in the squad is rather one of somebody supporting the senior keepers as well as being an overall leader and individual to rely on in the dressing room.
Upon signing a one-year contract extension last season, the 36-year-old is the oldest member of the squad following the departure of James Milner last season and Adrián said part of his job is to help the younger players settle in.
“After Millie left, obviously I'm the most experienced player in the dressing room now,” he said.
“I have that role as well. I try to help the youngsters. We have a big Latin group as well, so I try to help them to settle as quickly as possible – like Darwin [Núñez] learning English and Luis [Díaz] improving as well. We are like a family.
“We have to help each other to adapt as quick as possible, to play and to perform as well as possible. I'm one of the team players that tries to help and is ready for any opportunity.”
The goalkeeper has proved to be a valuable member of the team behind the scenes and one loved by the squad and more importantly by Jürgen Klopp.
While it's most likely his last season at the club with the likes of Harvey Davies and Marcelo Pitaluga vying for the third-choice keeper spot, I wouldn't be surprised if Adrián is possibly kept on in a coaching role due to his experience and ability to connect to the English and foreign players.
