Alex Rogers mulls over who should start against Hull City on Saturday after Loris Karius made his debut on Tuesday.
Before the season began it was widely thought that new summer signing Loris Karius would be the new starting keeper for the new season ahead. But due to a broken hand, this was never the case as I heard it very hard to save shots when you only have one hand.
So the ever controversial Simon Mignolet was set to start in goal for the beginning of the season. And, credit where it’s due, he’s not been awful. A little shaky at the start to the season against Arsenal and Burnley, but solid for the remainder of the games he’s started.
On Tuesday, Karius was given his first competitive debut for Liverpool against Derby in the EFL Cup. Loris had a very solid performance between the sticks and, something Mignolet may lack sometimes, had very calm distribution keeping peace at the back. A great debut for the young German.
Now, with both keepers fit and healthy and both already showing what they can do on a good day, who starts?
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I’ve got nothing against Mignolet, who, on his day, he is a very good goalkeeper. But I am certain that most fans would love to see Karius in goal rather than Migs. That’s just how I’ve seen it.
And replacing a keeper, who’s not really been bad, with another keeper who’s also been alright must be demoralising. Actually, it definitely would be! Some would argue that Mignolet has earned his place in the starting XI until he finds a way to lose his place.
However, Klopp did have a few interesting quotes when asked about the starting goalkeeping spot, saying “Yes, if nothing happens, Loris will play.”
So yeah, it seems Karius will be the new starting keeper from the mouth of Klopp himself. He also said, “In the moment we signed him you can imagine we thought he was not bad.” High praise from Kloppo.
“Loris had a bad start at Mainz, when no one really wanted him, but he went on to become an outstanding goalkeeper. We wanted him.” I think it’s fair to say that Klopp thinks Karius is good.
But is this the right choice? Yes. Yes, it is. Well, to me it is anyway, I’m sure a lot of you reading this think differently, maybe even thinking old Alex Manninger deserves a shot.
Either way, I’m pretty content with the options we have in between the sticks. If Migs were to continue starting, so be it. I’m not the managerial expert here, Klopp would have good reason to start him. If Karius were to cement a place in the starting XI, then good for him. It would also make me very happy to see him start as it would most fans.
If Alex Manninger were to start, we can safely assume that the end is nigh. But seriously, I’m 99.9% positive that Karius will be starting against Hull and I’m pretty excited to see how he does.
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