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Klopp: Rule change was the reason for Manninger signing

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Image for Klopp: Rule change was the reason for Manninger signing

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has explained the reasoning behind the signing of 39 year old goalkeeper Alex Manninger on a short term deal.

The Reds boss explained the Football League’s rule changes on loan spells forced the club’s hand. Young keepers Danny Ward and Ryan Fulton could either spend the season on the bench with the Reds as cover for first team or they could go out on loan spells to gain first team experience but they can’t be recalled. The fact they can’t be taken back in an emergency means that Klopp needed a keeper who would be happy being third choice. The German manager told the club’s official website:

“They changed the rules so we cannot bring an U21 goalkeeper back from a team in England during the season if we have a problem, so we had to make a decision – keep somebody back to protect us or bring in someone else who can give us experience and I think this is the best solution to allow others to develop.”

Manninger will wear the number 13 shirt and will be an understudy to both Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet who will fight it out for the number one slot. The Austrian has been training with the Reds during preseason after being released by Augsburg at the end of last campaign.

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