Home Back

Liverpool pecking order changes under Arne Slot after emotional exit confirmed

liverpool.com 2024/10/6

Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian announced that he was leaving the Reds over the weekend. But an ideal replacement has already been lined up in Arne Slot's squad.

Vitezslav Jaros of Liverpool warms up before a Europa League game.
Liverpool goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros.

Liverpool is set for a reshuffle in the goalkeeping department this summer. Coaches John Achterberg and Jack Robinson have already left, with Fabian Otte coming in, while Adrian has announced that he is departing.

Adrian was well-liked around the Liverpool dressing room but he was keen to make a return to Spain with Real Betis. Yesterday, he confirmed that he was leaving Anfield despite the Reds having offered him a contract extension to remain as the third-choice shot-stopper — a position where he would be highly unlikely to play, but useful for training.

"In five years, you have shown me so many things," Adrian said in a video he posted on social media to announce his emotional exit. "That wearing the Liverpool shirt, and defending the Liverpool badge at Anfield, should be added to the seven wonders of the world. That 11 yards is nothing when it comes to winning a title. That London is really Anfield South.

"That tradition is important and should be protected. That You'll Never Walk Alone is not just an anthem, it's a philosophy of life. Now, it's time for me to share all of these experiences I have learned. I will be grateful to you for life."

Caoimhin Kelleher has spoken about potentially needing to move away to get regular minutes but Liverpool would like to keep the Irishman, who Jurgen Klopp described as the best number two goalkeeper in the world behind Alisson Becker.

And according to The Athletic, Vitezslav Jaros will step up to become the third-choice option behind Alisson and Kelleher. He has really impressed in the last six months ago and ended up being a part of the Czechia squad that was at the European Championship in Germany.

In the second half of last season, Jaros was on loan at Sturm Graz. There, he won the Austrian Bundesliga — leading to Red Bull Salzburg changing manager and appointing Pep Lijnders — and also the Austrian Cup.

Sturm Graz was knocked out of the UEFA Conference League against Lille, but had beaten Slovan Bratislava in the previous round, meaning Jaros has European experience as well. It was a productive loan spell and the 22-year-old has experience with Notts County and Stockport County lower down the English pyramid too.

People are also reading