Adrian reminds Liverpool fans of Karius with this howler (Video)
Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian has largely acquitted himself well in Alisson’s absence, but his howler at the end of the team’s 2-1 win over Southampton was a reminder that there’s simply no replacement for their No. 1 option.
After blowing out Norwich 4-1 to start the 2019-20 Premier League season, Liverpool got off to a much more sluggish start against Southampton on Matchday 2. Perhaps the Reds were feeling the effects of going to penalty kicks against Chelsea at the UEFA Supercup, during which Adrian played the role of the hero by leading Liverpool to victory during the shootout.
Although Liverpool eventually defeated Southampton 2-1 behind goals from all-important forwards Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, Adrian didn’t get to play the role of the hero this time. In fact, he very nearly became the “goat” (not to be confused with “The GOAT”) with an absolute howler near the end of the game.
Shades of Loris Karius right here.
Well, you don't see that everyday 😵 #SOULIV pic.twitter.com/5OOnsswhiz
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 17, 2019
In the 83rd minute at St. Mary’s Stadium, Adrian collected a backpass and made an absolute hash of what should have been a simple clearance downfield with a 2-0 lead. He tried to pass the ball over the middle low (usually a huge no-no), and the ball went right to Danny Ings. The former Liverpool man made no mistake, and his goal gave the Reds something to worry about in the final 10 minutes of the match.
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Thankfully, Liverpool held on, but this mistake from Adrian is a reminder of how vital starting keeper Alisson Becker is. Against a more difficult opponent in a closer match, this very well could have been a critical mistake costing the Reds vital points in their likely title race with Manchester City.
With that being said, Adrian did have a solid performance before this woeful error. The issue is that for goalkeepers and defenders, consistency is paramount. One mistake can send an entire game crumbling for a team, and these are the mistakes that Alisson, who led the Premier League in clean sheets last year, simply does not make.