Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian has admitted that fellow goalkeeper Jan Oblak was the best player from the Champions League game and inspired Atletico to a win at Anfield. He also revealed that Atletico deserved to win as they were the better side.
The 33-year-old Spanish goalkeeper joined Liverpool prior to this season after spending six seasons at West Ham United. He was signed to back up regular starter Alisson. His career at Liverpool has been nothing short of a roller-coaster. He helped Liverpool win against Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup but committed an error against Atletico and conceded a goal.
The reigning champions lost the first leg of the Round of 16 ties 1-0 at Wanda. The Reds lost 3-2 after extra time at Anfield in the second leg to crash out of the Champions League. Adrian was criticised for conceding two goals from LLorente. He admitted that Simeone’s side were the better side and deserved to win.
He told DAZN: “The first days you eat away at yourself, you don’t accept that was the last game, you get that bad taste in your mouth, quite sour from having lost a tie. When it seems that we have it pretty well on track at home, a game where we had twenty-odd shots on goal, but we lose.
“The man of the match was definitely Oblak and, in the end, Atletico played their game, they beat us in both games and they should have progressed because they deserved it.”
Adrian joined the Reds on a free transfer from West Ham and got opportunities instantly because of Alisson’s injury in the first game. He subsequently started their first eight league games, helping them in winning all. He also revealed about his debut game for Liverpool.
“It didn’t give me time to think. When Alisson sat on the floor and the doctor gestured to make the change because he couldn’t carry on, I got up quickly,” Adrian said recalling his debut.
“I didn’t have time to warm up or anything. It was the first game, and to go out that way and for Anfield to receive me like this, everyone getting up in the seats applauding me, after having lost one of the best players of last season, it gave me full confidence. From there my beautiful story began here at Liverpool,”
