At times this season, it has been said that Liverpool have not had to deal with too many injuries.
However, they have had their fair share of players who have been unavailable due to a number of different issues. Naby Keita, Mohamed Salah, Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have all missed parts of the campaign, as has goalkeeper Alisson.
The Reds have been handed another blow, as Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that the latter will miss the next two matches against Bournemouth and, perhaps more importantly, Atletico Madrid.
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The loss of the Brazil international will be a huge kick in the teeth for Klopp. The 27-year-old is one of, if not the best, shot-stopper on the planet – he won the Yachine Award last year, given to the best number one of the past 12 months. Without him in between the sticks, it could have a detrimental effect on the back-line.
Not least because Adrian must now return between the sticks. The £4.5m-valued Spaniard – as per Transfermarkt – was in goal in the last match against Chelsea and made a monumental error for the first goal in the 2-0 defeat. Willian’s shot was strong, yes, but straight at the 33-year-old, yet he could only parry it into the net.
Despite that mistake, though, he is still a solid goalkeeper and has proven it on numerous occasions this season. He was the hero in the UEFA Super Cup final, for example, saving Tammy Abraham’s decisive penalty in the shoot-out. In 16 matches, he has conceded just 20 goals, which is a good return for anyone.
Yes, he was at fault in the FA Cup against the Blues, but this is his chance to prove Klopp he is still capable of being Alisson’s back-up. Good performances against the Cherries and Los Rojiblancos will restore the faith of the former Borussia Dortmund manager, as well as the fans.
Rather than having to stew over that error, he now has the opportunity to put things right immediately and send a message to his manager.
Meanwhile, this man can rejuvenate the Reds this weekend.