Article by Dean Carr of SBAT.com
Loris Karius says he is willing to take risks in order to secure his place as Liverpool’s first choice goalkeeper this season.
Karius, 22, arrived from Mainz last month in a deal worth £4.7 million and will take on the no.1 shirt, last worn by Australian ‘keeper Brad Jones. Whilst Jones was unsuccessful in his attempts to climb above Simon Mignolet in the Anfield pecking order, Karius has his eyes solely focused on becoming Jurgen Klopp’s man between the sticks.
Speaking to LFCTV, the former Manchester City academy keeper outlined his plan to earn his place in the starting eleven come the beginning of the 2016/17 campaign.
“My goalkeeping style is very modern,” he said. “(It’s) offensive and also with a bit of risk, something that I’m willing to take.
“I wanted the No. 1 shirt because I was wearing it at Mainz. And I want to be the No. 1 here at Liverpool.”
His rival for the role, Mignolet, recently penned a new five-year deal with the club back in January and will now have serious competition to earn his place in the team – something he has previously been immune from in his three years at the club.
Manager Jurgen Klopp will hope the competition for places can bring the very best out of the two stoppers, with performances in training likely to dictate who is given the nod, and Klopp is delighted to welcome a player of Karius’ quality into his squad.
“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,” the manager said.
“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.”
Coming from Mainz – Klopp’s former club and the team he supports – the manager is bound to know all about his qualities, having likely watched him on an almost weekly basis and certainly has the benefit of the doubt from the Liverpool supporters regarding his recruitment.
Having already added Joel Matip and Marko Grujic to the ranks before June, Klopp appears to be doing his business early and building from the back – the team’s biggest weakness last season.
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