Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian has spoken out about his new club on the anniversary of his move to West Ham six years ago.
The Spaniard posted a heartfelt message to fans of the Hammers on social media, and went on to describe signing for the Reds this summer.
“I was on holiday in Seville training by myself from the beginning of July, to get me ready if the opportunity came to sign for another club,” he’s quoted as saying by Sky Sports.
“We had a few offers on the table from Spain and outside Europe, we then had a call from Liverpool saying they had sold Simon [Mignolet] and I was their first choice.
“And at that moment I said: ‘OK, let’s stop the other ones, this is a top priority for me to go back to the Premier League and a big club like Liverpool.’
“Two days, we talked quick, they sent me the proposal, we studied and accepted that. And after some quick negotiations, I came here, did the medical test and signed.”
The stopper has also praised Jurgen Klopp for his influence on the squad and the way he treats his players, with Adrian particularly keen on the personal touch.
“I saw him (the Liverpool manager) on the morning of the first day I signed for the club at the training ground. He gave me a hug like good friends and he gave me all the confidence.
“I have had good managers in my career, like Pepe Mel [at Betis], but not like this. The relationship Jurgen has with all his players is unbelievable. He just gives us the confidence that we need.
“Smiling all the time, having a good word with us, every time he has a chat with us when he feels we are not in a good moment.
“He cares about us and everything about us, not just football – when I signed, he asked me about my family, places to live in Liverpool. It was very kind of him to talk to me like that, a big manager like him, and not just talking about football, but life.”
It’s brilliant that our back-up goalkeeper is so happy at Anfield, and in no small part that is thanks to the boss and the way he treats his players and staff as family.
The Klopp hug is renowned in football now, and it’s clear that it’s just more than a gimmick if a man in the 30s can still appreciate a good bear-hug from the big German.