Simon Mignolet has been a loyal servant to Liverpool. While he flattered to deceive for much of his time at Anfield, he also made some vital contributions.
He made a number of big saves in the closing weeks of the 2016/17 season, without which it is highly likely Liverpool would not have qualified for the Champions League. When he was forced to act as second choice over the last 18 months or so, he was a model professional.
While Jurgen Klopp would most likely have preferred to hang onto him for the upcoming season, the club will allow him to leave in order to play first team football. Mignolet has moved back to his native country with Club Brugge, with Liverpool receiving a €7million fee.
That left them short in the goalkeeping department. Irish youngster Caoimhin Kelleher would be next in line, and even he is out due to injury at the moment. One Alisson injury away from a crisis, the club have acted fast in finding a new 'number two'.
Liverpool are set to sign Spanish goalkeeper Adrian, who is available on a free transfer. The player was released by West Ham at the end of last season after six years at the club.
The Athletic's James Pearce confirmed the news on Twitter.
Yes mate. Should all be done today
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) August 5, 2019
The 32-year old will be seen as an experienced option to have in the squad should Alisson suffer an injury, and he would be capable of holding down the fort for a few weeks.
Adrian was adjudged to be one of the better goalkeepers in the Premier League for a couple of years in the middle of the decade, but he has had to play second fiddle at the London Stadium for the past few seasons. He has acted as backup to Darren Randolph, Joe Hart, and Lukasz Fabianski in that time.
This will be the first transfer addition to the Liverpool first team this summer, with only the signings of 16-year old Harvey Elliot and 17-year old Sepp van den Berg confirmed thus far.
