Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian has admitted he would be open to rejoining Real Betis if he leaves the Premier League champions in the summer transfer window, speaking to Cadena Ser.
It feels like light years ago.
In August 2019, when all was right with the world, Liverpool had Adrian’s spot-kick heroics to thank after beating Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup final at a packed-out Vodafone Park in Istanbul.
Flash forward to April 2021 and that penalty shoot-out drama, not to mention Jurgen Klopp’s full-blooded Rocky Balboa impersonation, is a distant memory.
Adrian is out of contract in the summer and, after falling behind youngster Caoimhin Kelleher in the pecking order, it seems distinctly unlikely the former West Ham stopper will be sticking around for another season warming the bench.
But, after almost a decade away, could Adrian make an emotional return to Real Betis this summer? It would certainly be difficult to say no.
“I still have a lot of football left. I have been away (from Real Betis) for nine years and it would be nice to come back, why lie?” Adrian said when asked about a potential switch to Los Verdiblancos.
“In December, (Klopp) decided another boy (Kelleher) should play ahead of me. I have to work to remedy it.
“My contract is running out this time. The club told me they are happy with me but you have to sit down and talk things out.”
Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis already have a pair of former Premier League shot-stoppers on their books in the shape of Claudio Bravo and Joel Robles.
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