Loris Karius to make Champions League debut as Jurgen Klopp rotates Liverpool goalkeepers

Loris Karius
Loris Karius has got the nod over Simon Mignolet Credit: epa

Jurgen Klopp’s plan to rotate three goalkeepers this season will see Loris Karius make his Champions League debut as Liverpool make their return to the European elite.

Karius will face Sevilla at Anfield ahead of Simon Mignolet, with his manager insisting he is not taking a gamble by recalling the 24-year-old. Klopp selected Karius ahead of Mignolet in a recent Premier League fixture against Arsenal and says the German demonstrated the issues that cost him number one status at Anfield last season are behind him.

“If nothing happens overnight then Loris will start, yes,” said Klopp, who also said youngster Danny Ward will be given opportunities in the season ahead.

“If we don't give them a game then every year we have to find a number two, 33 years old, still can catch a few balls and doesn't want to play any more – that's really difficult to find someone like that. 

“If they train bad they don't deserve a game, but they both train really well, they keep the level really high.

“That's the plan, not (just) to keep them happy. No, to use the quality of the goalkeepers, to keep them altogether and then they will decide with the performance who will play.

“I prefer having a group of good goalkeepers, and that means you have to change things. The game against Arsenal was exactly the same, it was very intense, yes we could have said afterwards it was not a goalkeeper game, but we didn't know that before.”

Karius is a rookie in Europe, playing just twice in the Europa League for his previous club Mainz, but Klopp is in no doubt about his pedigree.

“Could Loris prove something? I think he did (against Arsenal),” said Klopp.

“He was very cool with the ball, I know for some people too cool with the ball but that can happen with no rhythm, so now he has had the game it helped him a lot, us also and now he will start.”

Klopp has also recalled Philippe Coutinho, who will at the very least be on the bench but could now start after Mohamed Salah was taken ill on Tuesday morning.

It would be Coutinho’s first appearance of the season following his efforts to leave Liverpool for Barcelona over the summer.

Philippe Coutinho
Philippe Coutinho is back in the Liverpool squad Credit: getty images

Klopp said: “Phil is in the squad, and Salah's illness should not be that serious actually. Mo told me 'I can train', the doc told me 'he can train'. I asked what is the best and she told me if he don't have to train... so then no problem, go home. He was in the team meeting but was not allowed to breathe! He should be able to play, but of course I don't know exactly.”

Liverpool last met Sevilla when they were beaten 3-1 in the 2016 Europa League final. Klopp made a vow after the defeat.

“We will come back stronger,” he said in the immediate aftermath of the loss. “We will use the time we do not have in Europe and train and we will make other finals.”

That the same opponent now ushers in Liverpool’s return to the grandest stage offers some symmetry - a chance for Klopp to show how far his side has evolved during their one year of European exile.

“I think we have proved already we are stronger than we were in the final,” said Klopp. “At the time it was a terrible defeat, but we took a big step – but Sevilla also did so it doesn't say too much about this game.

“For me, the most important thing is this is a proper Champions League game and nothing else, not Europa League, not a final from two years ago, it is real – real Champions League.

“We have changed a lot of things since the final, but it is always this way and they have made progress. After a very successful season for them again a very good manager too, so it is a really interesting challenge for us.” 

The turnaround in staff since Liverpool’s last Champions League exit to Basel in December 2014 is significant. Eight of the starting XI that night have left, or in the case of Steven Gerrard retired. It was a Liverpool team in which Rickie Lambert led the line, Coutinho was no more than a late substitute and Adam Lallana and Emre Can were unused. The replacing of Brendan Rodgers with Klopp is the most significant change of all.

The prospect of Klopp and The Kop has already proven to be potent in Europe, and now the manager wants to take it further.

“We have to enjoy the tournament, because it is a special tournament, the biggest in Europe, and we have to ensure we enjoy being here,” said Klopp.

Meanwhile, despite his three game domestic ban, Sadio Mane is eligible in Europe and is a guaranteed starter.

Although his appeal for the length of his ban to be reduced was rejected by the Football Association, Klopp felt an obligation to act on the player’s behalf.

“It was our duty to appeal but as I said after the game, it was a waste of time,” said Klopp.

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