Liverpool confirm that they have offered experienced goalkeeper Adrian – who is set to become a free agent at the end of the month – a new contract.
Liverpool have announced their retained list following the end of the 2023-24 season, confirming that they have offered a new contract to one of their experienced goalkeepers.
With Alisson Becker the undisputed number one and Caoimhin Kelleher establishing himself as a competent backup, Adrian has served as the Reds’ third-choice stopper for a few years now.
The 37-year-old has played just 26 times for the Reds since joining in 2019 – keeping seven clean sheets – and he failed to make a single competitive appearance in the 2023-24 campaign.
Not since the 2022 Community Shield success over Manchester City has Adrian featured in between the sticks for Liverpool, who stand to lose him when his deal expires at the end of the month.
The former West Ham United stopper has already spoken of his desire to return to Spain, having made his breakthrough in senior football with Real Betis before moving to the Premier League in 2013.
© Reuters
Adrian to stay on at Anfield?
Despite his admission, Liverpool confirmed in their list of retained players that they had offered Adrian the chance to stay on for the 2024-25 season, but it is unclear whether he plans to accept.
The Reds announced last month that Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip would be quitting when their deals expire, confirming the exits of both senior outfielders within the same hour on May 17.
However, there was no update on Adrian’s future on the same morning, indicating that Liverpool were discussing extended terms with the experienced Spaniard, in spite of his peripheral role and exit admission.
Among the plethora of academy graduates to depart, two played for the senior team under Jurgen Klopp, including Melkamu Frauendorf, who made one FA Cup and one EFL Cup appearance for the Reds.
Polish winger Mateusz Musialowski will also seek pastures new after making his first-team debut in the 2023-24 Europa League, coming off the bench in Liverpool’s 6-1 thumping of Sparta Prague at Anfield.
Could Adrian contract offer boost Kelleher’s chances of a transfer?
© Reuters
While Adrian’s yearning for a return to Spanish football appears pretty clear-cut, his offer of a renewal could mean one of two things, the first being that Arne Slot values his experience and goalkeeping quality very highly.
Alternatively, the Reds could be making a last-ditch attempt to retain Adrian’s services in the event that Kelleher leaves the club this summer, as the Republic of Ireland international is thought to be desperate for regular football.
Kelleher has proven his worth to Liverpool as a capable deputy for Alisson, impressing during his extended run in the first XI while his Brazilian colleague was out injured during the 2023-24 campaign.
However, after several seasons of playing second fiddle, Kelleher is understandably pining for the number one shirt, whether that be at Anfield or another top-flight club in England or elsewhere.
A move to Celtic as Joe Hart‘s successor has been strongly mooted for Kelleher, but even if Adrian does end up committing for another year, it would not be a shock to see Liverpool enter the transfer market for another guardian.