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What Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp told Adrian moments before making Anfield debut
Adrian joined Liverpool last summer.
Jurgen Klopp gave Adrian a very brief motivational speech as the Spaniard prepared to make his Liverpool debut on the opening day of the season, it has emerged. Liverpool signed Adrian on a free transfer in the summer as back-up for Alisson Becker.
The former West Ham goalkeeper’s Reds debut came far sooner than he expected, with the 33-year-old making his bow in the Merseysiders’ Premier League opener against Norwich last August.
Adrian was thrust into the deep end seven minutes before the half-time interval when Alisson suffered a calf injury as he took a routine goal kick.
And as he prepared to replace his stricken team-mate, Klopp gave him a short but inspiring speech.
He whispered in his ear: ”Welcome to Anfield."
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Welcome to Anfield
Adrian recalled the moment during a recent interview with the BBC, saying: “He hugged me. He showed me I had his trust.
“I felt like the schoolboy who has to introduce himself in front of his new classmates, but what can I say about Anfield?
“The way the fans embraced me in such a critical moment, losing one of their best players. They gave me total confidence."
Less than a year after leaving West Ham, Adrian is on course to become a Premier League winner.
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Liverpool are a staggering 22 points ahead of defending champions Manchester City and will end their 30-year wait for a league title provided they don’t suffer a monumental collapse.
Adrian attributes the Reds’ success over the last two seasons to Klopp’s philosophy, saying: “What Jurgen has achieved here is extraordinary.
"Just look how we are in the league. It is so easy working with him. So easy. He's always smiling, cheerful, optimistic. He's the manager but he behaves like any another member of the team.
"Him being close to us helps us believe in his methods. He's convinced us all of his leadership and abilities by being close to us and proving that whatever is on his mind works in the end.
"Klopp usually tells us that we'll face many problems during the games, so we must be able to fix them. Any team can surprise you with a new system, for example.
“He's there to guide us. He visualises football very well from the sidelines and transmits this knowledge to the players in a masterful way. Training sessions are intense. He does his job passionately and that's exactly how we perform on the pitch.
“Jurgen is not only a top strategist, but also a great person. The best group management I've seen. Next to the team through thick and thin."
Liverpool will be back in action on Saturday evening, travelling to Carrow Road to take on Norwich.