Adrian found it tough to part ways with Liverpool last summer, yet he’s confident that choosing to move on was the right call. The seasoned goalkeeper declined a new contract offer from Liverpool to return to his childhood team, Real Betis, last summer.
After arriving at Anfield on a free transfer from West Ham in 2019, Adrian spent five years as Jurgen Klopp’s second-choice keeper. Despite only making 26 appearances and often being relegated to the bench behind Alisson, he still collected an array of silverware.
At 38, Adrian was well-liked within the team but had fallen to third in the pecking order, behind Alisson and Caoimhin Kelleher. Even so, sporting director Richard Hughes extended an offer for a one-year extension under Arne Slot’s leadership, but Adrian felt a move back to Betis was best for his family.
“I cried when I left Liverpool. I didn’t get a chance to say a proper goodbye to the fans, so I had to make a video on my social media. I was at home with my family and I just broke down after,” he shared with The Athletic.
“I felt sorry for my kids because they had spent all of their lives in the UK. I had five wonderful seasons there and won all the trophies, except the Champions League. One side of my heart was saying, ‘Come on, I love Liverpool, I love my Scouse people’.
“It was difficult saying no to Liverpool. It’s hard leaving a place where you feel loved by everyone, but this decision was about me and my family.
(Image: Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
“I had a conversation with Richard Hughes, and they tried to convince me to stay, but, as I said, this was the right move for me.
“I was aware of Betis’ interest before the end of the season, but it was nothing formal. This is my boyhood club. I played here from the age of 10 until I was 26. All my family support the club, and my brother is a season ticket holder.
“I enjoyed my time at Liverpool, but I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to rejoin the club I love. Liverpool is one of the biggest clubs in the world but this was a decision from my heart.”
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Adrian has settled back into life in Seville under Manuel Pellegrini – his former boss at West Ham – and is relishing his new chapter. With 21 appearances for Betis this term – nearly matching his five-year tally at Liverpool – he’s part of a squad chasing glory.
Betis holds a 2-1 lead over Fiorentina after their Conference League semi-final first leg and sit sixth in La Liga, eyeing a spot in next year’s Champions League.
While Adrian is thrilled to be back in southern Spain, he admits that Liverpool has left its mark on his family, with two of his children speaking with Scouse accents.
(Image: NIGEL RODDIS/AFP via Getty Images)
