Why Liverpool’s third choice goalkeeper could start at the weekend

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed he is sweating on Adrian’s fitness ahead of Saturday’s Premier League match with Southampton.

Adrian injured his ankle during Liverpool’s UEFA Super Cup celebrations on Thursday after a fan invaded the pitch and took out the Spaniard by accident.

The 33-year-old saved the decisive penalty in Liverpool’s shoot-out victory over Chelsea but is now a serious doubt for the weekend.

Adrian missed training on Friday and a decision will be made on his availability on the morning of their game away to Southampton.

There is hope Adrian will be fit enough to start for Liverpool with heavy strapping on his ankle and pain-killing injections.

However, Liverpool are facing the prospect of their third choice goalkeeper, Andy Lonergan, starting in goal this weekend with first choice shot-stopper Alisson already sidelined.

Lonergan was drafted onto Liverpool’s pre-season tour to boost their numbers and only earned a short-term deal earlier this week following Alisson’s injury.

The 35-year-old could remarkably turn out for the European champions on Saturday in what would be his Premier League debut.

Lonergan was playing League One football for Rochdale last season after failing to break into the Middlesbrough first-team.

In fact, his last experience in one of England’s top-two tiers was with Leeds in the Championship during the 2017/18 campaign.

Lonergan made seven appearances for Leeds and was the lowest WhoScored rated player (5.89) in the division (5+ starts).