WHEN ADRIAN CHEWED TOFFEES

KOP keeper Adrian will be more than happy if today’s third-round clash with Everton ends the same way the last time he met the Toffees in the FA Cup.

Five years ago, as West Ham keeper, he scored the winning penalty in a 9-8 shoot-out victory over Everton in a third-round replay.

It remains his greatest memory of the famous competition – and the Spanish star is back in the FA Cup spotlight again at Anfield with Jurgen Klopp set to rest No.1 Alisson at Anfield today.

“I have great memories of the FA Cup. Obviously I played many games before in the Cup but the best was against Everton, at Upton Park, one of the last games there,” admitted Adrian (left).

“Scoring the winning penalty was an amazing feeling because it was at the end of a long game, a replay, and penalties. There had been loads of penalties and then it came to the goalkeepers – me and Joel Robles for Everton. Joel hit the crossbar and I scored – the best memory I have in the FA Cup.”

Adrian is a shoot-out specialist at both ends – after saving Tammy Abraham’s spot-kick in Liverpool’s Super Cup win over Chelsea In Istanbul in August.

That gave him immediate Kop kudos after his summer move from West Ham, a status cemented at Anfield as he played 10 unbeaten games early season with Alisson sidelined with injury.

That run – and his part in the 5-2 derby win over Everton in December with Alisson suspended – has quickly made him feel part of the Liverpool ‘family’.

“Jurgen tries to make us feel that the team is more important than any individual player. It doesn’t matter who plays or not – everybody is ready to win games and prepared to win games.

“I knew when I signed here that Alisson had done really well last season so it was difficult for me to start playing. But from the beginning I wanted to be at my best, ready to take any opportunity.

“That came early so I felt like a No.1 as well, we’re fighting for the same spot, I never feel like a second goalkeeper.

“I’m always ready when the manager needs me to help the team.”

But although Liverpool are marching towards more glory in the Premier

League after going unbeaten for a year, Adrian believes the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti makes Everton dangerous opponents.

“They were in a difficult situation but he is one of the best managers in the world, I would say in the top six.

“I would say the mentality of a big man has come to their dressing room. They are in a different dynamic now and we will have to be careful.”