“You’ll Never Walk Alone” is the common refrain from Liverpool fans. What they don’t tell you is that if you’re a Liverpool goalie right now, that means you’ll probably never walk.
Such is the state of Liverpool’s goalkeeping injury crisis at the moment. Alisson was injured in the Premier League opener against Norwich and now it appears Adrian has been injured.
Not during a match but after it — by a fan.
Adrian was the hero of Liverpool’s shootout win over Chelsea in Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup, denying Tammy Abraham on the final spot kick to win his team the trophy.
As he was celebrating with teammates (and Jurgen Klopp, who made a 60-yard sprint to him), a fan who had invaded the pitch to be with the team slipped and crashed into Adrian from behind.
Did anyone see this slide tackle by some idiot after the shoot out... what the heck man!! #LFC #SuperCup pic.twitter.com/hJrGpiguMd
— Reaaz Ahmed (@ReaazAhmed) August 16, 2019
Now it appears Adrian is a doubt for Liverpool’s road game at Southampton on Saturday.
“When we were all together, a supporter jumped over, was chased by some security guys, slipped and kicked (Adrian’s) ankle,” Klopp told a news conference. “Yesterday it was swollen and today I spoke to him and he said it's much better, but we have to see.
“He couldn’t have played directly after we landed in Liverpool, but I saw him now, he’s better.”
Klopp said he wasn’t positive whether Adrian will be able to play on Saturday as Alisson is still recovering from his calf injury. The club’s 20-year-old third-string keeper, Caoimhin Kelleher, is also recovering from a wrist injury.
Who is the next Liverpool goalie Klopp could call upon? The team signed journeyman Andy Lonergan earlier this week as emergency cover. Lonergan has played for Preston North End, Darlington, Blackpool, Wycombe Wanderers, Swindon Town, Leeds United, Botlon, Fulham, Wolverhampton, Leeds again, Middlesbrough, Rochdale and now Liverpool.
Personally, instead of signing a fourth stringer, I was hoping Liverpool would put Virgil van Dijk in goal, because you know he’s probably a badass at it, like everything else. Bobby Firmino is probably an underrated keeper too; I bet he’s currently practicing his no-look saves.