Liverpool have already made a number of key announcements ahead of the new season and another is expected in the near future.
Of course, one of the most noteworthy announcements has been the appointment of Arne Slot who was confirmed as the Reds’ new head coach earlier in the week after a compensation package of approximately £9.4m was agreed upon with Feyenoord.
The Dutchman replaces legendary manager Jurgen Klopp at the helm at Anfield and there will be the need for reinforcements given almost the entirety of the German’s backroom staff – including Pep Lijnders who has agreed to become Red Bull Salzburg boss – and goalkeeping coach John Achterberg have also departed.
In terms of the playing staff, it’s common knowledge that Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip are to leave upon the expiry of their contracts at the end of next month and both players were present at Anfield last weekend for a special farewell.
Another senior player whose exit is seemingly imminent, but not yet confirmed, is Adrian. The experienced goalkeeper was firmly the third-choice option behind Alisson Becker and Caoimhin Kelleher during the season just gone and intends to leave.
ADRIAN WANTS SPAIN RETURN
“I would like to return to LaLiga after 11 seasons in the Premier League. It would be the end of a cycle,” he explained when speaking to Movistar Plus+ in an interview as per Muchodeporte. “I’m still ready to compete. I feel very good despite being 37.
“You know that goalkeepers, if you take good care of yourself, if you haven’t had any serious injuries lately and you’re fine, the daily training gives you that intensity that makes you compete.
“I think Adrian [the player] has a long time left and it’s true that I would like to return to LaLiga. It has to be a nice, interesting project.”
Having said that, Adrian did not rule out the prospect of staying put: “I haven’t sat down with Liverpool yet either,” he added. “I don’t rule out that we could have a pending conversation, but it is true that we will be looking out of the corner of our eye to see what happens in LaLiga.”
Whatever the case is, the whole situation will soon become clear. In fact, if last year is any indication and judging by Liverpoolfc.com, an announcement of those being released – whether that be senior as well as Under-21s and Under-18s players, will come in early June.
It was just under a year ago when the club confirmed Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were to leave on free transfers along with Jack Bearne, Liam Hughes, Charlie Hayes-Green, Oscar Kelly, Fidel O’Rourke, Oludare Olufunwa and Iwan Roberts.
Furthermore it was communicated that Adrian had been offered a new contract and the Spaniard ended up signing a one-year extension.
As a result there should be clarification with regards to the 37-year-old’s future within the next couple of weeks as he may end up staying a further year or following in the footsteps of Thiago and Matip by bidding farewell to Liverpool Football Club.
