LIVERPOOL BOSS JURGEN Klopp joked that Adrian’s howler on Saturday against Southampton was a rite of passage for shotstoppers with the Anfield club.
The reigning European champions were forced to hold on for the three points at St Mary’s after a mistake from the Spanish goalkeeper set up a nervy finish in the pair’s Premier League clash, which the Reds emerged from as 2-1 victors to keep a spotless record for the season so far.
With a comfortable lead thanks to goals either side of half-time from Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, the former West Ham man gifted the hosts a lifeline when he misplaced a pass straight to the feet of Danny Ings inside the penalty area, allowing the former England international to bury it in the back of the net.
Adrian’s gaffe bore a suspicious similarity to an error made by regular Liverpool keeper Alisson last season against Leicester, for whom the 32-year-old is currently deputising following an injury sustained by the latter.
Speaking after the match, Klopp however made light of the incident, quipping that the mistake means that he has now truly ‘arrived’ while backing him to bounce back.
“No it wasn’t [out of our control]. If you give a goal like this, the other team is coming up and the other teams feels the intensity of the last week,” the German told BBC Sport after the match.
“Southampton had one more big chance and if they score then we can’t moan about that – but I think we deserve three points. I’m happy with the performance.
“We gave them a proper boost by that nice pass by Adrian. He has finally arrived because it is his third game and so it is normal for a Liverpool keeper to tick that box [by making a mistake]! Now we can carry on.”
The Reds have suffered a number of goalkeeping snafus in recent years, with the infamous 2018 Champions League final display from Loris Karius the most memorable.
Former starter Simon Mignolet also had his moments of uneasiness, but the Belgian has since departed the club in a summer move to Club Brugge.
Alisson became the unquestioned starter at Anfield last season upon joining from Roma, as the Reds shipped just 22 goals in 38 Premier League games this past season following the Brazilian’s £66 million move.
His injury however has presented a chance for Adrian, who arrived as a free agent only weeks ago, with the former Betis man etching his name into club history in midweek during Liverpool’s Super Cup penalty shoot-out victory over Chelsea.
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Adam Byrne is a try scoring machine.
@Gary: Definitely. Superb player.
Furlong is a beast.
Bonus point in the bag …nice
What an embarrassing capitulation by Northampton. Brilliant by Leinster though. Good times
Leinster have had some sloppy moments but also some brilliant ones which have yielded some trys thankfully. Let’s hope we can finish off Northampton in the second half.
Leinster cruising! whos their biggest challenge this season to win the cup!? apart from their Irish counterparts ;)
@Paul Quigley: Sarries I would say.
Leinster are a serious team..and have great strength in depth..apart from Micheal Bent..young Porter shud be getting game time
The Leinster scrum destroyed theirs with bent in the front row. May not be international standard but he is very valuable to the Leinster squad. Gets too much stick
Porter is a prospect but I’d imagine bent would eat him now. Porter has strength but a lot of technique to learn
Too bloody easy. What a team.
Gruesome Saints.
Impressive win
Luke McGrath is so poor tonight…