Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian’s mistake in extra-time against Atletico Madrid was the key turning point in the Champions League tie last night.
The Reds looked to have the game tied up after Roberto Firmino put the Merseysiders 2-1 up on aggregate but the Spaniard’s errant kick found its way straight to Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix who laid it on to Marcos Llorente to score.
Supporters weren’t particularly kind to Adrian on Twitter after the game:
Cost us FA Cup and Champions League, needs binning
— Minoball (@Anthony_LDN71) March 12, 2020
Kicking of migs and ball control of sakho. Swear to god.
— tHiS oNe (@sfaza1993) March 12, 2020
No player wants to make mistakes, it doesn’t mean they are not to blame. This is just as bad as Karius, worse in fact as he cost us in the FA cup too and so is a huge reason we are not competing for the treble. Like Karius there should be no coming back for him, he needs binning.
— Captain moustache and his magic flute (@MoustacheHis) March 11, 2020
So a lot of basics for a goalkeeper then, he was good business but you can’t ride your luck against world class teams. Just the League to console with then ?
— mrcheese (@20055times) March 12, 2020
Please sign a better backup keeper?
— Vivek (@VivekMe37586155) March 12, 2020
Some of our fans didn’t learn from what they do to Karius. Adrian is signed for free. What do you expect from a player that supposed to be backup only ??♂️
— Grasma_fa (@FaGrasma) March 12, 2020
We knew all of this going in. He was a keeper training with a Spanish Division team. He helped us win the Super Cup. Let’s be grateful for the trophies we have.
— Ian Narine (@IanNarine) March 12, 2020
It is true that the 33-year-old also made a mistake in the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea in the FA Cup last week, but crashing out of both competitions can’t be blamed squarely on the keeper.
Liverpool have not performed at all well since the winter break, and they have looked decidedly shaky defensively, even with first choice Alisson in between the sticks.
They did look more on song last night, though, and the disappointing collapse in extra-time following Adrian’s error was very frustrating to watch.