Liverpool’s goalkeeping problems have intensified in bizarre circumstances after a pitch invader injured Adrián’s ankle during the Uefa Super Cup final celebrations.
The supporter ran on to the pitch following Adrián’s decisive penalty save from Tammy Abraham at Besiktas Park and slipped into the Liverpool throng when tackled by a security guard. Adrián and Joe Gomez were struck by the supporter and though the Liverpool defender is fine to face Southampton on Saturday the club’s new goalkeeper is a doubt with a swollen ankle.
Liverpool have made representations to Uefa over the latest pitch invasion to occur during a final hosted by European football’s governing body. There had been a pitch invasion during the Super Cup final and in Liverpool’s past two Champions League finals.
Jürgen Klopp said: “It [winning the Super Cup] would help him a lot if it would be 100% clear he could play tomorrow. When we were all together a supporter jumped on us, he was chased by some security guys slipped and kicked his ankle. Crazy. Yesterday, it was swollen. It is better today, much better than yesterday, so we have to see. Apart from that it was a brilliant night for him for sure.”
Klopp is already without his first-choice keeper, Alisson, with a calf problem while third-choice Caoimhin Kelleher has recently resumed training after suffering a broken wrist.
Adrián received intensive physiotherapy on the flight home from Istanbul on Thursday and while he could feature at Southampton Klopp is concerned at the regularity of pitch invasions at his club’s matches.
“There was only Liverpool fans there pretty much so it probably was one. What can I say? There is no doubt about how much we love our fans but if they could all stop doing that, because that’s the worst example I have heard about. It happened against [Manchester] City in the Community Shield when someone was running on the pitch and against Norwich someone ran on the pitch.
“It’s not funny. The girl in the Champions League final made money off it. I like that we don’t have fences in stadiums but that means a lot of responsibility for supporters as well. If one supporter cannot hesitate or stop himself, then supporters around him should do it. It’s not funny. It’s crazy. How can something like this happen?
“Adrían will not go for a scan. We will wait for the swelling to go down. He had that and then we had a four-hour flight back so you can imagine that does not help the swelling. He could not have played immediately after we landed in Liverpool. He looks better but the decision will be made tomorrow.”
