Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is excited by the possibility of having two “strong” goalkeepers who will compete for the Reds number one jersey after new signing Loris Karius returned from injury to take his place on the bench against Leicester at the weekend.
Karius was signed from Mainz for £4.7million in the summer but broke his hand during a preseason match against Chelsea in July. Simon Mignolet has been given the gloves for the Reds’ first four league matches of the season in Karius’s absence but Klopp told the club’s official website he is now hoping for a friendly competition between the pair:
“There is no pressure or something; that is the challenge and competition. In the end I want us all to be best friends, even when our best friends play in the same position. That’s how it is, that’s football, it’s about performing. And we all have this pressure. I’m happy that Loris is back. He is a great, great character – a really good guy – and a real goalkeeper so that’s good. I’m fine and if they all stay fit in this position, that’s all I need.”
With Karius now fully fit and ready to play, it will be interesting to see who Klopp picks to start against Chelsea on Friday night. He may want some continuity after the high standards that were set in the 4-1 victory over Leicester at the weekend, although a unchanged lineup at Stamford Bridge is unlikely. Klopp likes to have Roberto Firmino alone up front for important away matches and it looks likely that Philippe Coutinho will come back into the team for Daniel Sturridge after being rested against Leicester on Saturday.
