Klopp Talk: Adrián Has Big Gloves to Fill

Photo by James Griffiths/West Ham United FC via Getty Images

The new number 13 replaces Simon Mignolet in Klopp’s squad.

It came to no surprise, despite some back and forth earlier this summer, when Simon Mignolet left Liverpool after six years of service to head back to Belgium. In his place, Liverpool replaced him with Adrián, a former West Ham keeper who joined the team on a free transfer.

Adrián will have no illusions about his place in the Liverpool goalkeeping pecking order, with Alisson the clear number one in Klopp’s team. However, he will likely need to use his knowledge of the the Premier League to perform in the domestic cups, and of course, he’ll need to be ready to jump in should Alisson be unavailable.

It’s almost impossible not to have a considerable step down in talent between a starting goalkeeper and his deputies when said starting goalkeeper is Alisson Becker. However, Klopp believes that they got the choice right by bringing Adrián to Anfield.

“I think this is the perfect solution for us in this moment, replacing talent and experience like for like,” the manager told the official site.

“With Ali and Simon, I felt like we had two ‘No.1s’ and in many ways we have repeated that with Adrián. This is important. He is a ‘keeper who knows the Premier League, who has played in pressure situations and has the highest quality.

“They are big gloves to fill because Simon was such an outstanding professional and contributed to the group even when not in the starting XI. Everything we know about Adrián tells us he has the personal qualities to go with his clear playing talent to ensure this area of the team is not weakened. We’re all looking forward to working with him.”

It’s not the sexy, marquee signing we may have been hoping for this summer, but Adrián fills an important hole in the team.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com