Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian speaks previous interest and the influence of Pepe Reina

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New Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian has told the club’s official website that he could have signed for the Reds years ago.

The ex-West Ham United stopper finally put pen-to-paper on terms to become Alisson Becker’s understudy at Anfield yesterday.

Adrian has also said that Liverpool legend Pepe Reina was instrumental in him arriving in England in the first instance.

The 32-year-old left the London Stadium during the summer ending a six-year association with the Hammers.

Liverpool were on the lookout for a new stopper after Simon Mignolet departed for Club Brugge.

Adrian announced following his arrival that a move to Anfield could have happened a few years ago.

He told the club’s official website: “To be fair there was interest years ago, but the real interest was in the last few days.

“We spoke every day with my agent and we had other options to move because I finished with West Ham as a free agent last season.

Adrian played 150 times for the Hammers but lost his place last season to Lukasz Fabianksi.

He became something of a cult hero among the East London faithful, however, after moving to the club from Real Betis.

Compatriot Reina played a big part in Adrian swapping Spain for England in 2015.

He continued: “I asked him to give me his opinion about the Premier League and he told me ‘Go and show your level there because it’s a great league’.

“Obviously he was in love with Liverpool, all the fans love him. I hope I have a great career like him here at Liverpool and show that the Spanish level is on top.”

TBR Verdict

Adrian is a steady signing for Liverpool to act as understudy to Alisson Becker.

He knows the Premier League and won’t be the ‘bad egg’ to rock the boat at being out of the team.

He will probably get the chance to play in the domestic cup competitions and he will hope to help Liverpool towards more silverware.

In six years with West Ham, he developed a rapport with the supporters and his likeable persona might see a similar relationship be struck with the Liverpool faithful.