Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum on Adrian Mistake: 'It Happened to Alisson'

Christopher Simpson @@CJSimpsonBRFeatured ColumnistAugust 19, 2019

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Adrian of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Liverpool FC at St Mary's Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)

James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images

Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has played down goalkeeper Adrian's mistake that gifted Southampton a goal in the Reds' 2-1 win over Saints on Saturday.

The Merseyside outfit were heading for a comfortable win at St. Mary's Stadium when the new arrival passed the ball straight to former Reds striker Danny Ings at close range in the 83rd minute.

Per Goal's Chris Burton, Wijnaldum said:

"Those kind of things can happen with a goalkeeper.

"Last season it happened to Alisson against Leicester City and in a pre-season friendly.

"How is he [Adrian] going to react to the mistake? I think that is more important than the mistake itself.

"Everyone can make a mistake, also a goalkeeper. But the only thing is, he is a goalkeeper, and if he makes a mistake, a lot of times, it will result in a goal."

Adrian joined Liverpool on a free transfer this summer after being released by West Ham United.

He was thrown into action after No. 1 Alisson suffered a calf injury against Norwich City in the opening match of the season.

The Spaniard saved a penalty from Chelsea's Tammy Abraham in a shootout victory in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday, but on Saturday his error set up a nervy finish for Liverpool.

Like Wijnaldum, Liverpool writers Scott Groom and Joel Rabinowitz compared Adrian's mistake to one made by Alisson against Leicester early last season:

Scott Groom @ScottCGroom
I think Adrian's mistake could do him good, as Alisson's against Leicester did last season. He'll certainly be more careful from now on as to not do that again, and that's a good thing. Making a mistake as a keeper is always more costly by the nature of the position. #LFC

Joel Rabinowitz @joel_archie
Shame about the howler by Adrian, but as with Alisson’s vs Leicester last season, at least it didn’t impact the result. He made a couple of brilliant saves prior to that as well.

In that match, the Reds were also 2-0 up when Alisson was caught on the ball by Kelechi Iheanacho, allowing Rachid Ghezzal to pull one back for the Foxes.

The Brazilian was able to put the error behind him, though, and his superb goalkeeping played a key role in Liverpool conceding just 22 Premier League goals last season, the best record in the division.

Adrian isn't on the same level as Alisson, so mistakes will be more common as long as he's between the sticks instead of the No. 1.

It's still early in his Liverpool career, though, and if he can limit the number of such incidents until Alisson returns he can keep the Reds competitive in the meantime.