Klopp clarifies Karius as Liverpool’s No.1 goalkeeper

Ian Watson

Jurgen Klopp says he has left his goalkeepers in no doubt over their status at Liverpool, with Loris Karius confirmed as the club’s No.1.

The German stopper joined the Reds from Mainz in the summer but Simon Mignolet retained the gloves at the start of the season due to the new signing sustaining a hand injury in pre-season.

Karius was given his debut in the EFL Cup at Derby last month, since when the 25-year-old has remained in Liverpool’s goal, with the Reds having won three games and drawn one.

Despite some unconvincing displays from Karius. Klopp says the decision was made after the win at Swansea to persist with the new man as first-choice goalkeeper.

“In this moment we have a No 1 and that’s Loris Karius,” Klopp said at his press conference on Monday. “That’s the situation. I cannot leave them in doubt.

“After the last international break I spoke to both of them and we made this decision. That’s the ranking. Loris No.1, Simon No.2.

“He (Mignolet) is a very serious player, a good professional. He’s still not happy but you cannot see it in training. He is hard working and improving.

Jurgen Klopp: Happy with Liverpool performance

Liverpool sit level on points with Manchester City and Arsenal at the Premier League summit, prompting many to tip the Reds to make a sustained title challenge.

Klopp, though, is not interested in discussing the title race at such an early stage of the season.

“I don’t care. It’s normal when you are in a good position people talk about you positively.

“I recognise there is a good mood. Let’s carry on.

“Hopefully you can ask these questions all the season through, it’s good until now.”

Despite a succession of impressive displays that have helped Liverpool win five and draw two of their last seven games since being beaten at Burnley on August 20, Klopp insists there is still plenty of work to do before the Reds come close to fulfilling their potential.

“Nothing what we’ve done so far has been close to 100%. There are a lot of things for us to do better.

“If there weren’t things to improve we could go on holiday all week and then just meet on Saturdays.

“Swansea first half was far away from rhythm. As I’ve said, it’s not like cycling. You can miss it, it’s possible. You need to stay in the race and concentrated, we need to get better.

“I know we are not on half way, so a lot of things for us to improve and do better.

“Nobody feels that it’s not possible to play better. We can defend better, we can attack better, we can create better. A better balance in the game.

“Burnley was not good, Man United was not good, a lot of people said the last 10 minutes against West Brom could have been better.

“It’s a lot of things to think about. It’s a good thing we have another game immediately, strong team and big opponent.”