Jurgen Klopp has hailed Adrian’s role in Liverpool’s narrow win over Brighton.
Adrian was drafted in as a late substitute during Saturday’s 2-1 win at Anfield after goalkeeper Alisson was sent off for handball outside his penalty area.
Following the Spaniard’s introduction, the visitors immediately reduced the deficit with Lewis Dunk’s quickly-taken free kick catching out the entire Reds’ defence.
But Klopp insists that the contribution of Adrian, who will also deputise for a suspended Alisson in next Wednesday’s Merseyside derby, was invaluable.
He said: “We scored two nice goals from set plays.
“But the biggest chances we had were from open play. We could have and should have finished it off in that period, and we didn’t.
“In the second half, it was hard work again and the boys put in another incredible shift.
“Of course life became more complicated with the red card and the change we had to make. We brought on a frozen goalkeeper.
“Everyone sitting here was not warm. Imagine going on there with shorts, a really thin shirt and gloves that are not made for keeping you warm.
“Then some people make the free-kick happen like that. We looked a bit silly in that moment but you have to accept it.
“We carried on fighting and Adrian helped us with two really good saves and crosses he caught, but with his cold feet he couldn’t kick the ball as far as he wanted.
“It kept it interesting but in the end the most important thing is we won the game.
“I am very pleased about that, happy about the effort of the boys and proud of the desire they showed. The red card made it a really special win.”
Liverpool’s victory over the Seagulls saw their lead in the Premier League table extended to 11 points while also equalling a club record for unbeaten games.
Despite a lack of clean sheets in their last 12 games in all competitions, Klopp insists that the results are still a greater concern to him than aesthetics.
“None of these 13 games we have won was easy. We didn’t feel that for a second,” added the Liverpool manager.
“It is not as though we feel ourselves as favourites in some games. We fight with all we have for the result.
“Results-wise it is an incredible period but we don’t think about the last 14 games, we have to think about the next one, which is Everton and a big one.
“We don’t think about the points gap.”