LIVERPOOL MIDFIELDER Georginio Wijnaldum has no concerns over back-up goalkeeper Adrian despite his error against Southampton, with it pointed out that even Alisson has made mistakes.
Jurgen Klopp has been handed more headaches than he would have liked between the sticks at Anfield.
Just a matter of weeks into the 2019-20 campaign, the Reds have already seen their first-choice keeper pick up an untimely knock and his understudy make both positive and negative headlines.
Adrian was the penalty shootout hero for Liverpool in a UEFA Super Cup win over Chelsea, before suffering a bizarre knock of his own after being clattered by a celebrating supporter.
He shook off that ailment to figure in a Premier League clash with Southampton, but nearly cost Liverpool precious points as he gifted Danny Ings a reply for the Saints in a game which ended 2-1.
Questions have been asked of the former West Ham custodian on the back of that display, and of Alisson’s recovery schedule, but Wijnaldum sees no cause for alarm.
The Dutch midfielder said of the keeper situation on Merseyside: “Those kind of things can happen with a goalkeeper.
“Last season it happened to Alisson against Leicester City and in a pre-season friendly.
“How is he [Adrian] going to react to the mistake? I think that is more important than the mistake itself.
Everyone can make a mistake, also a goalkeeper. But the only thing is, he is a goalkeeper, and if he makes a mistake, a lot of times, it will result in a goal.”
Adrian is still settling into new surroundings after being snapped up as a free agent over the summer.
Liverpool needed a number two after agreeing to offload Simon Mignolet to Club Brugge.
Wijnaldum added, with veteran shot-stopper Andy Lonergan having also been acquired: “Everyone needs time to adjust.
“He is just in for, not even two weeks, so we have to get used to each other.
“It would have been easier if he had come in from the start with Simon leaving and him coming in.
Now we just have to take the time that we have and train with each other and get to know each other better because everyone needs time to settle in – I had it also when I came here – I think all of the signings had it when they signed for Liverpool. So he will be ok.”
Liverpool will be back in action on Saturday, with Adrian likely to provide their last line of defence once more in a home date with Arsenal.
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I say this without jest, but it must be difficult to be humble when you’re only a short time from having your statue placed in Lansdowne Rd.
Yes you were a team player Brian. And you always made us feel like we were on that team too. A gent. Enjoy your retirement.
He Sounds a bit needy to me ..
I want / i want .
Wouldn’t it actually be cool if Ireland won the Championship in Paris at the very stadium where he made his name? It really is one of those stories, that the book of Brian opened in Paris, so shall it close in Paris.
What a player! :’)
Love this script
He might not be sentimental but I am.
I hope every man, woman and child gives him a send off to remember on Saturday.
He deserves it.
I think I’m going to avoid all rugby media between now and the end of the 6N. All these “Bye Bye Bod” stories are making me sad… :(
It’ll be a bit sad before and after the match on Saturday but there will be zero sentiment during the game, especially from the legend himself. I’m sure he’ll give everything to the cause as he has done throughout his brilliant career. Right up there with the greats in rugby worldwide. Good luck in the future BOD
Got my tickets for Saturday bitter,sweet seeing his last game there, he has given me best sporting memories of my life. Hope we win and send him to Paris with a chance of the championship. Thanks BOD
A true Irish Legend. And he’s not even from Cork!! ;) Thanks for the memories Brian.
The greatest irish sports star of all time.
He was not such a team player when he stopped in the georgia world cup game to roar at stringer for a bad pass.
Still a great player though.
nobody saying the man is perfect ted. that was out of frustration, the team went in talking of winning the world cup and played rubbish the whole competition
In his whole time with Ireland that’s the best you can do ted?
Sad ted sad.
Don’t worry you won’t have to watch him much longer, two more games for Ireland and a few for Leinster that’s all.
I’ll tell you one thing ted he’ll pick up another medal at least before then so if I was you I’d find a desert island somewhere and get stranded until June because this will torment you. L
I wonder which part of Ireland ted hails from?petty little man
I couldn’t possibly guess even!
As i said bod is a great player. One of the best irish players of all time.
However he was guilty one of the least teamplayer (?) acts I have seen from any Irish player in an Irish jersey.
I just found it ironic that he used that description.
It was seven years ago. And over the course of the fifteen years he has saved ireland many times.
Ted do you think he should’ve clapped stringer on the back told him don’t worry about it it’s only a game.but try not to do it again old chap?
Possibly he could have tried to chase down the georgian before he scored he try.
He could even have been a team player and accepted that everyone makes mistakes and that his experienced team mate would have been far more pissed off with the mistake.
Bod has always given his all for Ireland. And I would defend him on his talent, his dedication, his daft ability to put his body on the line and just about every other aspect of his career.
But for me, his teamwork will always be tainted for roaring at and blaming a teammate while an opponent ran in a try.
Ted let it go buddy it was a long time ago
No idea whether he was a team player or not, kind of difficult to tell as a spectator. He went through a string of piss poor performances during the tubby Glenda years, was never ever pulled up by his teammates for the many flicks & kicks to nowhere (Schmidt only touched on that recently) but first onto his teammates if opposite occurs. someone with his gravitas & authority within the game can damage any team ethic, especially when off-form in his own right. Still the greatest of this generation, but clearly acutely aware of it too…
Pretty much exactly what he should’ve done
Without a doubt our greatest sportsman ever. Thanks for all the memories and best of luck for the future! (He might read this).
In the 13th minute #onemoreyear again!
Time to move on.
You will be remembered as a genius, tough shit!!!!
Looking forward to him excelling in his last 2 matches, hope he runs in a hat trick in Paris :)
A sporting legend and a gent….great combination! Enjoy your retirement it’s well deserved.
National Treasure
Terrible movie
And YOU WILL be
And thats all he was, no one man is bigger than the team
A national hero and treasure, there are not enough plaudits for you sir