NewsThank you, Adrian – goalkeeper leaves Liverpool after five years

The goalkeeper, who leaves the Reds after the expiry of his contract, arrived on Merseyside in August 2019, joining a squad that had won the Champions League a couple of months earlier.

Nobody could have foreseen what his immediate future would hold, however.

An unplanned debut arrived just four days after the Spaniard had completed a free transfer to Jürgen Klopp’s squad, following his departure from West Ham United.

Alisson Becker sustained a first-half injury as Norwich City were swept aside 4-1 on the opening night of the 2019-20 Premier League season, leading to Adrian being unexpectedly thrust into the action.

And, quite remarkably, five days later he played a major role as the UEFA Super Cup was added to the club’s trophy cabinet. Adrian saved Tammy Abraham’s spot-kick to earn a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Chelsea, after the sides had drawn 2-2 after extra-time in Istanbul.

The fairy-tale beginning would continue as, with Alisson sidelined, Adrian helped Liverpool to reel off a further seven consecutive Premier League wins before the Brazilian returned in mid-October.

In total, Adrian made 18 appearances during his first campaign with the Reds, including 11 in the Premier League as Klopp’s team ended the club’s 30-year wait to be crowned champions of England again in emphatic fashion.

Another six appearances followed in 2020-21, while injuries to Alisson and Caoimhin Kelleher meant Adrian was in goal as the Reds began the 2022-23 season by beating Manchester City to win the FA Community Shield.

He continued to be an important member of the goalkeeping group over the last two seasons and was in the matchday squad 47 times.

A popular figure among teammates and staff alike, Adrian leaves Liverpool having made 26 appearances and with the best wishes of everybody at the club.