Klopp backs Karius but says he must perform

Loris Karius has been backed by Jurgen Klopp following recent criticism, but has been told he needs to perform now that he has the opportunity.

Despite making a mistake against Manchester City last week, Klopp is still keen to stick with Karius as his new first choice goalkeeper, but he has warned the young German that he’ll need to prove his worth.

After the Reds’ saw to it that City’s unbeaten league run came to an end, Klopp confirmed following the game that the ‘keeper who started – Karius – was to be his first choice for the foreseeable future.

However, that decision was met with some criticism and some confusion, particularly due to the 24-year old being culpable for Leroy Sane’s goal, and wonderment over why Simon Mignolet had been dropped.

Klopp though, insisted he isn’t quick to change his mind. The German coach claimed he would stick with his compatriot, so long as his performances merited his inclusion.

When asked by journalists about his decision to drop the Belgian ‘keeper, who was described as performing well, Klopp criticised the media’s critical stance. He said;

First of all, it’s the first time I heard anything positive about Simon Mignolet. I’m happy about that. I was always positive about him, so maybe you should tell him personally.

It’s a very difficult job to be a goalkeeper or a centre-half at Liverpool because no one forgives you [after] one mistake. Obviously, since I’m here, it feels like ‘wow’ if our goalkeeper makes a mistake and it’s a disaster.

If any other goalkeeper makes a mistake then he’s still a fantastic goalkeeper and we should still buy him. I’m really fine with our goalkeeper situation.

Loris Karius could have made a save around the first goal [against City], even though I think it was a world-class finish in this moment. It always makes sense to say the truth.

He’s a really good goalkeeper and we brought him in because we wanted him to play. There were a few difficulties, but he’s settled as well. [There are] a lot of really good things in his game — they are natural, I like them, and now he can show them.

That’s all. We changed a lot of positions during the year, but only with the goalkeeper it looks like [according to pundits] we have to stick to our opinion for 20 years if we made a decision one time. I changed not my opinion, but the situation. That’s all.

But of course, Loris has to deliver. He knows that. Now he is the No.1 and that means he can play again and he can concede a goal like he conceded against Manchester [City].

It’s not like we want that, but it’s still possible. All the good things, I like to see again. I saw a lot of good things in the games he played in the last few weeks. That’s why he’s in.

Liverpool next take on Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium on Monday night.