This is what Liverpool get for not blessing us with Andy Lonergan’s presence in the starting line-up.
Jurgen Klopp’s troops took three points away from St Mary’s this Saturday afternoon but Adrian gave the visiting fans reason to fret at the death.
The former West Ham keeper was at fault for Southampton’s consolation goal in the 83rd minute when he inexplicably passed the ball straight to Danny Ings for a simple tap-in.
Adrian’s howler was similar to the one Loris Karius was guilty of in the 2018 Champions League final.
The German stopper rolled the ball into Karim Benzema’s outstretched foot for game’s opening goal — Real Madrid went on to win the final 3-1 after another Karius error gifted Gareth Bale a second goal.
Adrian’s lapse in concentration came in a game of reduced magnitude and didn’t ultimately cost the Reds the result.
However, the error will worry Liverpool fans who will now consider the next month or so without Alisson with more concern.
The crocked Brazilian was key to the club’s Champions League triumph and noble Premier League campaign last season.
Any team is more vulnerable without their first-choice keeper but is this exaggerated for the top clubs?
It makes sense when you think about it; big clubs attract the world’s best (Alisson is undoubtedly top five in his position) but no world-class keeper would happily be second-choice.
And so the gap between the No1 and the understudy is severe, as is the case with Liverpool right now.
No disrespect to Adrian – his shootout heroics were greatly appreciated by Klopp and the fans in Istanbul – but few would say he is anything other than a significant downgrade compared with Alisson.
The 32-year-old Spaniard received the ball under no pressure…
His first touch was fine as he assessed his options.
Notice Virgil van Dijk indicating a quick pass to Fabinho…
But Adrian delayed and didn’t register Ings’ pressure until too late…
Van Dijk’s reaction said it all…
Liverpool fans will be wishing Alisson a rapid recovery.
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