Footage has emerged on Liverpool’s official YouTube channel of Adrian touching the iconic ‘This is Anfield’ sign before Saturday’s 3-1 win at home to Arsenal.
Released on the Reds’ behind-the-scenes feature Inside Anfield, the goalkeeper is pictured touching the iconic sign as the players walk out of the tunnel to face the Gunners.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp had stated prior to the club’s Champions League win that the players couldn’t touch the sign before they had earned the right to.
For Klopp, the sign signifies the rich history of Liverpool Football Club and players should only be able to touch it once they had added to the club’s illustrious history
Consequently, a number of eagle-eyed Liverpool fans who noticed Adrian touching the sign on Saturday evening highlighted the goalkeeper’s actions.
With only four appearances for the Reds, all of which have come due to the injury to Alisson, fans have debated whether or not the 32-year-old has earned the privilege to touch the sign.
After all, the rest of Klopp’s squad had to go through the heartbreak of the 2017/18 Champions League final before winning a sixth European Cup in Madrid earlier this year.
Some Liverpool fans took to Twitter to express their feelings about seeing Adrian touch the iconic sign.
Adrian will now, and I think he will, touch the "This is Anfield" sign.
He's earned the right to do that.
— twt_liverpool 🇲🇾 (@twt_liverpool) August 14, 2019
Imagine Adrian walking out at anfield now touching “this is anfield “ sign because he’s won a trophy absolute hero #unberables
— Mikey (@MikeyJFT97) August 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/superal999/status/1166031669993889792?s=20
Read Liverpool Verdict
So, has Adrian earned the right to touch the iconic ‘This is Anfield’ sign?
Probably not. Well, at least in terms of what Klopp had previously outlined to his players.
Having been at the club for less than a month, it is easy to see why fans may point towards some inconsistency in standards.
Despite that, Adrian’s situation deserves consideration. Coming in for Alisson is no mean feat given the standards the Brazilian set in goal last season.
It is, therefore, important to make him feel that he is fully part of this Liverpool side.
With the sign providing an indication of Liverpool’s rich history and stature, it is crucial to remember the foundations from which the club was built: family, community and togetherness.
As a result, there should be no worries over Adrian touching the iconic sign.
If there is, the UEFA Super Cup counts as a trophy, doesn’t it?
