Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp hints that Loris Karius will replace Simon Mignolet as first-choice goalkeeper

The summer signing from Mainz looks set to retain a starting spot for Saturday's home game against Hull

Mark Critchley
Friday 23 September 2016 09:25 BST
Comments
Karius kept a clean sheet on his debut against Derby
Karius kept a clean sheet on his debut against Derby (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

Jürgen Klopp has given the strongest suggestion yet that Loris Karius will replace Simon Mignolet as Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Karius, 23, is set to start against Hull City on Saturday having kept a clean sheet on his competitive debut in Tuesday night’s 3-0 EFL Cup win over Derby County.

The summer signing from Mainz could have started the season as the club’s number one had he not broken his arm during a pre-season tour of the United States.

Klopp, who has persisted with Mignolet despite Karius’ recovery from the injury, has now suggested that he could give the young ‘keeper a prolonged chance to impress.

“Let's go through a few different kinds of ways in which we could see it,” he said during his pre-match press conference on Thursday.

“Do we say, 'Okay, Loris had the game against Derby. Was it a real game for a keeper? Not really. So give him a home game' for example.

“We could say, 'There is an international break coming up, so give Loris a home game and Swansea away' and then both have had the chance to show what they are.

Jack Pitt-Brooke analyses Chelsea vs Liverpool

“It's not in doubt, it's not a test.

"I accept again the circumstances over the keeper's position. But in the end it's 100% positive — Liverpool FC will have a very strong goalkeeper on Saturday between the posts.”

Karius’ promotion to the starting line-up would see Mignolet drop to the bench, despite a largely error-free start to the season.

The Belgium international’s place has been a point of contention among supporters for the past few seasons following several costly mistakes.

Brendan Rodgers, the former Liverpool manager, dropped Mignolet from his starting line-up in December 2014, only to reinstate him later that month.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in