Adrian has lifted the lid on his role in helping Thiago Alcantara settle into life at Liverpool and believes his side have secured a “world-class player”.
He may have only signed for the club last week, but Thiago is already making an impression at the club.
In his first 45 minutes as a Liverpool player, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich star broke a Premier League passing record in the Reds’ 2-0 win at Chelsea.
The Spain midfielder was announced as a Reds player on Friday afternoon, after completing a £25m switch from Bayern Munich.
Thiago replaced Jordan Henderson for the second-half, the midfielder managed to control the game - and even recorded one quite remarkable stat.
Thiago completed 75 passes in 45 minutes, which is more than any of the Chelsea players did in the entire 90 minutes.
As well as that, it is the most passes completed by any player with a maximum of 45 minutes in the Premier League since records began in the 2003/04 campaign.
“Thiago is a world-class player. I knew him before when we went to the national team and because we have a few friends between us,” the Spanish goalkeeper replied when asked about the signing.
“He's a top player, he has quality, he has [a] great pass, great shot, vision of the game – a different one. So he gives us a lot of help.
“This season is going to be tough and he gives us that quality that he has. Obviously part of this is a great player, fits really well into the dressing room, speaks very good English, so no problem at all. I think he's going to enjoy this season, the first season with us.”
Before the Spaniard, speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, continued: “I try to help him as much as I can.
“Last season when I came I liked when the people helped me to settle down quick to everything – the city, the feeling of the club, the philosophy. All that you can share with him at the beginning.
“I have had a few good chats with him explaining obviously just good things about the club. Hopefully he's going to enjoy this season because, for sure, it's going to be tough but we're going to enjoy it with him.”
The Reds are the reigning Premier League champions, while Thiago has enjoyed unrivalled domestic success over the last few years, and Adrian believes his side have signed a proven “winner”.
He said: “He's a winner. You see his career, he won a lot of titles because obviously he was in a top team like Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
“He likes to win, he came here to win, to try to win all the titles we are facing this season. It's going to be intense, it's going to be a period with many games. It's a great signing for us and I think he's going to help us a lot.”
