The goalkeeper looks forward to growing in his role.
On Monday, it was announced that backup Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian has signed a new contract with the Reds. Adrian fell down the goalkeeping pecking order this past season, with Klopp preferring Caoimhin Kelleher after a series of poor performances from the 34-year-old. However, Adrian remains enthusiastic to continue on with the Reds and fight for his place within the side.
“As I always say, the competition makes us better – not just in the goalkeeper position, in life – when you have healthy competition to give your best,” Adrian told the official site. “Then, at the end of the day, it’s the manager’s decision who is playing or not. Ali is a super, top goalkeeper, one of the best in the world. He is showing [that] every game he is playing. Not just scoring goals! Making some saves – good saves – and giving points to the team. Being together and helping each other is the most important thing in the goalkeeper mentality.
“Also, when Caoimhin made his debut many people were asking me if I wanted to play, what did I say? I supported him. And he told the press as well that I support him every time. He is younger, he has a long time to keep playing and keep improving as well. I tried to do what the most experienced players did with me when I was a bit younger than now. I tried to help him, give some advice, motivation, supporting, having that confidence that you feel better and you feel bigger when you play.”
Adrian also dropped some motivational poster wisdom when discussing the mentality the team has going into this coming season.
“We want to improve, for sure. We’re going to give everything. Football is unpredictable and you can win, lose or draw. But I like to say: sometimes we win, sometimes we learn. And this season we learned a lot. We learned about the situation we were living and it’s going to be very useful for next season, for sure.”
Adrian isn’t the only person feeling that excitement for next season. The thought of having so many currently injured players back again has filled this post-season with a palpable buzz. There’s hope that this season’s setbacks only delayed the Reds’ push for Premier League dominance.
