Ex-Liverpool star took on Jurgen Klopp mantra with brave transfer decision

Ex- Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian has revealed he took away a key message from Jurgen Klopp after opting to join Real Betis this summer .

The Spaniard was announced as a Real Betis player earlier this month, with Adrian inking a two-year deal after spending the past five seasons on Merseyside. During his time at Anfield , the 37-year-old made 26 appearances in total.

And while those numbers are not exactly eye-catching, Liverpool's dressing room will be worse for his departure. Adrian was a popular member of the Reds dressing room, and was offered a new deal by sporting director Richard Hughes.

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The deal would have kept him on Merseyside with Adrian playing a key role in the Liverpool dressing room under Arne Slot. However, the goalkeeper opted instead to return home to Seville to play for the team he began his career with, Real Betis.

And in choosing to leave Liverpool, Adrian revealed that he was appreciative of Liverpool recognising his importance to the squad, re-iterating a line from former boss Jurgen Klopp. "I’ve a lot of respect for Richard, and we had various conversations about the new project," Adrian told the Athletic .

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"He told me Arne wanted me to stay, as an important person in the dressing room. I appreciated the contract offer, and also appreciate their understanding. It’s like Jurgen said — the important thing is not what people think of you when you arrive, but when you leave. Leaving in a good way, with respect, was very important for me."

Clearly, the decision to leave Liverpool was a difficult one for Adrian, who was part of a Reds squad that won everything there was to win at club level. But the allure of being able to return home to Seville and to play for Real Betis was ultimately one he could not turn down.

"It was not an easy decision, after five seasons at Liverpool, achieving practically everything with Jurgen (Klopp), with such a great atmosphere in the dressing room,” Adrian added.

"But in a sporting career, and in life, a train passes only once, and this was the opportunity, the moment to return home, to a great project for the future at Betis."