Since the turn of the century, Liverpool’s squads have always been stronger in some areas more than others. Whether that be the solid backline during the mid-noughties or the ruthlessness of the attack in recent years, Anfield has been served an imbalance of depth post 2000.
However, the one area that hasn’t been as blessed is the goalkeeper position. Until now.
For the first time in over a decade, the man between the sticks has got competition. Simon Mignolet is currently deemed as Jurgen Klopp’s first choice but Loris Karius is looking to change that, with his agent indicating these intentions exactly last week.
“There is absolutely nothing to the rumours that Karius will leave,” Florian Goll said.
“He did not sign at Liverpool for the short term — he believes in the vision of the manager and he wants to be fully fit and prepared to fight for the No. 1 position from the first day back.”
This will only inspire his counterparts’ mentality as Mignolet will have a direct fight for his place for the first time since arriving in 2013.
Last season was a real eye opener for Klopp and his staff with the custodian card being switched more than once during the 2016/17 season.
Off the back of an uneasy season, the Reds boss chose to stick with the Belgian at the start of the last campaign but was quickly replaced by the fresh-faced Karius after just 5 league games. He was dealt a hammer blow a month later after Klopp told Mignolet he was not his first choice any longer and would have to settle for cup games.
However, before the year was out he was back in between the sticks again as the primary ‘keeper, after his replacement had a baptism of fire only managing to keep three clean sheets and conceding 11 goals in his first 10 games. Mignolet managed to match his clean sheet tally in Liverpool’s final 4 games of 2016 and retained his number one spot as roles were reversed.
With Klopp ruling out any more goalkeeping pursuits this summer, the upcoming season looks set to be an interesting but important season for the shot stoppers.
Whilst Mignolet will be pushed, if he keeps in pole position Karius will have a significantly reduced game time and thus a gap (and possibly unrest) between the two could develop.
All in all though, it is ultimately The Normal One’s intentions that will decide the fate of both players. Last season gave a little insight into what his plans may be in terms of his long term projection.
Any manager will prioritize his own imports over his predecessors’ and it looks like the German will do exactly that.
With age on his side, 24 year-old Karius has been compared to David de Gea in his early days at Manchester United; always liable to a mistake but constantly showing signs of promise. At 29, Mignolet is arguably already the finished product, despite the lengthy career-span of a goalkeeper, and Karius is nearly on his level already.
Mignolet’s days at Liverpool are unquestionably numbered but as of now, he is Liverpool’s first choice. Klopp needs to prevent Karius from becoming disillusioned which is why you may see him gain more game-time this term, asserting him as a cup goalkeeper as well as featuring against lower-league sides in the Premier League. Champions League football may be a stretch.
One thing is for certain; for now, gone are the days of the immovable stalwarts ala Jerzy Dudek and Pepe Reina and the battle for the Liverpool number one has been reignited once again.
