I’ve signed to be Liverpool’s No 1, insists Loris Karius

New Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius has warned Simon Mignolet he has not joined the Reds to play second fiddle – and fully intends to be the club’s number one.

The 22-year-old German has already taken the No 1 squad shirt, having obtained the agreement of manager Jurgen Klopp, and he wants the position which goes with it.

Mignolet’s position as first-choice has not been threatened since arriving three years ago despite a number of unconvincing performances but that is about to change.

“I wouldn’t make the move otherwise if I thought I was just going to sit on the bench,” said the former Mainz player, who is understood to have signed a five-year contract after completing a £4.7million move.

“I want to play and I feel like I will be able to do that if I do well in training and pre-season and the pre-season games.

“I’m confident. I’ve played almost 100 league games in Germany, so I’m young but I’m experienced. I’m not afraid of anything.

“I want to be in goal and play for Liverpool every week and then win a trophy with the club, that’s what everyone wants. I want to do my part and help.”

The goalkeeper is Klopp’s third signing since taking over in October, having secured deals in January for Schalke centre-back Joel Matip and Red Star Belgrade midfielder Marko Grujic to join this summer, and the second time he has returned to his homeland to secure a target.

“I am delighted we have signed Loris, he has had a fantastic season with Mainz and has developed into a very good goalkeeper since his return to Germany,” he told liverpoolfc.com.

“I am really pleased that we were able to move so quickly to get him and that Loris has shown such a desire to come to Liverpool with a lot of other clubs interested in him.

“I know he will add to the quality we have in this position and I look forward to working with him and all our players when we return for pre-season.”