Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp insists he’s satisfied with new goalkeeper Loris Karius’ start to his Reds career, but that the young German can also improve on his performances.
Karius made only his fourth start in goal against Manchester United, after replacing fellow ‘keeper Simon Mignolet and although he kept his first Premier League clean sheet – his second in all competitions – the 23-year-old put in a rather shaky display, prompting doubts over whether he is an upgrade on Mignolet, from fans and pundits alike.
Klopp, however, who bought Karius from Mainz over the summer, is convinced the German has made a good start and backed him to improve ahead of a second home match of the week against West Bromwich Albion.
“[It is] a very good start, that’s how it is.” Klopp said according to Liverpool’s official website.
“We watched him for a long time and especially in the last two years in the Bundesliga, he was outstanding. But he is still a young boy, for a goalkeeper especially.
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“He collected experience but this is, of course, something else here in the Premier League – a different kind of play in general in the Premier League and [a different] style of play in our specific case.
“So, of course, he has to improve and can improve, but with the start, I feel quite comfortable and everything is good.”
Monday night’s match against United didn’t produce a lot of clear goal-scoring chances, but one of the clearest came when Man United almost scored, as a result of some sloppy passing between Karius and Dejan Lovren.
The fact that Zlatan Ibrahimovič was ruled offside came as a relief to Reds fans but that decision did little to cover Karius in glory, in fact, it only increased the criticism aimed towards him.
Again, though, the manager has stood by his player, insisting that it was just another error that any goalkeeper, even the more experienced ones are capable of making.
“It was not perfect. There was one situation [against United] with Dejan [Lovren] together, with passing, but things like this happen.
“More serious things like this happen to other goalkeepers who are more experienced. If you want a goalkeeper who plays football, you take the risk that sometimes the ball is bouncing in a different way.
“That’s all, everything is OK.”
Fans and pundits will always worry at the sight of a defensive error, especially one coming from a new goalkeeper, however, encouragement, patience and faith are three important qualities that any struggling player needs from their manager, not least their own fans.
Karius clearly has those in Klopp, so the German will look to take on his manager’s words and get the very same from the fans who were so excited by his arrival in the summer.
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