| Adrian | |
|---|---|
| |
| Personal information | |
| Date of Birth |
3 January 1987 |
| Place of Birth |
Seville, Spain |
| Height |
1.90 m (6'3") |
| Position |
Goalkeeper |
| Liverpool statistics | |
| Squad no. |
13 |
| Years |
2019-2024 |
| Appearances |
26 |
| Goals |
0 |
| Assists |
0 |
Adrian San Miguel del Castillo (born 3 January 1987) is a Spanish footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Liverpool. Signing in 2019, Adrian featured 18 times during Liverpool’s title winning season, deputising for Alisson during suspension and injury. After 2020 however, the Spaniard became third choice due to the emergence of Caoimhin Kelleher.
Liverpool career[]
On 4 August 2019, it was announced that Simon Mignolet, who had been Liverpool's backup goalkeeper, was set to leave the club. Many experienced goalkeepers were predicted to be signed and fill the void, including Pepe Reina, and his Spanish compatriot, Adrian.
A day later, it was confirmed that Adrian, unattached since his release from West Ham, had signed for the club on an initial two-year deal, on a free transfer. He was given the number 13 shirt for the 2018-19 campaign.
On 9 August 2019, Adrian was included in a squad for the first time, as the Reds faced Norwich on the opening day of the Premier League. Towards of the end of the first-half, Alisson went down with an injury, forcing Adrian to come off the bench and make his Liverpool debut. The Spaniard couldn’t keep a clean-sheet however, as Liverpool eventually won 4-1.
Five days later, Adrian was given his first start, against Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup. Adrian put in a very impressive performance, despite conceding a penalty in a 2-2 draw. Then in the shootout, the Spaniard saved the last penalty to give Liverpool the trophy, and his first career honour.
In the next game, he put in a very mixed performance. Away to Southampton, Adrian made some very big saves to keep Liverpool’s 2-0 lead intact. In the 83rd minute however, with plenty of time on the ball he passed it straight to former Reds’ striker Danny Ings, who slotted home to make it 2-1. Fortunately, the score stayed at 2-1 and Liverpool took home the three points. Adrian kept his place for eight of the next nine games, with Liverpool winning all but one, and the Spaniard making some very impressive saves.
On 3 March 2020, Adrian started in the FA Cup 5th Round at Chelsea, and made a costly error as the Liverpool were beaten 2-0 in London. Eight days later, he was called into action again due to an Alisson injury, and started in the second leg of the Champions League Last 16, with the Reds trailing 1-0 on aggregate to Atletico Madrid. Liverpool held a 2-1 aggregate lead in extra-time, but an unpressured Adrian passed the ball straight to the feet of an Atletico attacker, and they clinically converted, taking the lead on away goals. The Spanish side went on to win 3-2 on the night, and Liverpool went out of the competition.
Despite this disappointment, Adrian ended his first campaign at the club with a Premier League winners' medal, having made 11 appearances in the campaign, and ending up on the winning side in each of them.
Adrian began the 2020-21 season as deputy to Alisson once again, making his first few appearances in the EFL Cup, including a penalty shootout loss to Arsenal, with the Spaniard still making a save.
On 4 October 2020, the Spaniard made his first Premier League start of the season, in a disastrous 7-2 defeat to Aston Villa. The first was a result of a poor pass from the goalkeeper, handing Villa the lead. Three of the goals however were a result of cruel deflections. He kept his place for the two following games, but found himself back on the bench upon Alisson’s return.
On 1 December 2020, Liverpool took on Ajax in the Champions League. Alisson had picked up another injury, but this time it was Caoimhin Kelleher that took the Brazilian’s place in the lineup. The youngster put in an impressive performance, and quickly established himself as the club’s second-choice goalkeeper.
Adrian made just three further appearances in the remainder of his Liverpool career: a Premier League win at Sheffield Utd in February 2021, an EFL Cup win at Preston in October 2021, and a victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield in August 2022.
Despite being offered an extension, it was announced on 7 July 2024 that Adrian was to leave the club, with his contract having expired at the end of June.
Adrian made 26 appearances in his five seasons at the club, and picked up six winners’ medal in his time.
Honours[]
Liverpool[]
- Premier League: 1 (2019-20)
- FIFA Club World Cup: 1 (2019)
- EFL Cup: 2 (2022, 2024)
- UEFA Super Cup: 1 (2019)
- Community Shield: 1 (2022)
Stats[]
| Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |
| 2019-20 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| 2020-21 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 2021-22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 14 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 0 |
| Season | Apps | Goals | Assists | G+A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020-21 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021-22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
External links[]
- Adrian player profile at LFCHistory.net