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Loris Karius’s only problems against Arsenal were of his own making, as Liverpool’s second-choice goalkeeper dawdled on the ball and was closed down.
Loris Karius’s only problems against Arsenal were of his own making, as Liverpool’s second-choice goalkeeper dawdled on the ball and was closed down. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters
Loris Karius’s only problems against Arsenal were of his own making, as Liverpool’s second-choice goalkeeper dawdled on the ball and was closed down. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

Jürgen Klopp’s Loris Karius gamble left untested by Arsenal’s familiar failings

This article is more than 6 years old
The Liverpool manager gave his No1 goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet, a break but his second choice got a rest too as Alexis Sánchez and co failed to threaten

Sir Alex Ferguson once galvanised Manchester United for victory with a team-talk that stretched no further than: “Lads, it’s Tottenham.” The same brutally dismissive thought may have crossed Jürgen Klopp’s mind before Liverpool destroyed their north London rivals. The Liverpool manager chose the perfect day and the perfect opponent to rest his first-choice goalkeeper. His second choice enjoyed a day of rest too, although Loris Karius was on the pitch against Arsenal.

Any misgivings or judgment on Klopp’s decision to give Simon Mignolet a day off was postponed by yet another anaemic Arsenal performance at Anfield, where they have conceded 17 goals on their last five visits. Familiar failings from familiar faces made a mockery of claims of change at the Emirates Stadium. So much for the Liverpool manager’s risk. Karius, Mignolet’s replacement for one Premier League game only, did not have a save to make against an abject opponent. The only threats to the Germany Under-21 international came when he had the ball at his feet.

Klopp has healthy competition and options in goal this season with Karius and Danny Ward, the Wales international having returned from a successful loan spell at Huddersfield Town. In Mignolet he has a goalkeeper who thrives on the confidence of being first choice. Though the Belgium international was clearly unhappy at not making the squad for such a prestigious game, Klopp avoided any unnecessary issues by assuring the keeper he will be back in the side for the trip to Manchester City after the international break.

The Liverpool manager was asked, jokingly, whether he started Karius in the knowledge the 24-year-old would have nothing to do. “You shouldn’t ask a question like that,” Klopp replied. “I lose a bit of respect for a question like that.

“Intensity for a goalkeeper is different. It is not physical. It is mental. We said before the season that we wanted to have three really strong goalkeepers and that is the situation now. Simon is the clear number one but the other two are not clear number twos or threes. Simon won the race in pre-season. He is solid, he is like a machine. You can always rely on him. I told him yesterday and it was not that he gave me a hug and said ‘Thank you boss, that’s what I would do too’ but I wanted to do it and give him this rest and have Loris in this game. Loris did a lot of good things. He was sometimes too cool but we all need to get used to playing football in close situations. He did a good job and I am happy with this. If nothing happens Simon will play against City 100%.”

The Liverpool manager’s claim that four games in 12 days was taxing for the 29-year-old Mignolet did seem an exaggeration, however. The same could not be said of Liverpool’s opponents. One of the many damning indictments of Arsenal’s display was that Karius had no competitive opportunity to press his claims as Mignolet’s rival in the Liverpool team. The only conclusion that could be drawn from his performance was that his distribution puts more pressure on his own team than the man he replaced.

Karius was closed down twice by Danny Welbeck as he dawdled in possession inside his penalty area and fortunate the ball ricocheted in Liverpool’s favour on both occasions. The former Mainz keeper was so slow on the ball that even Mesut Özil almost caught him in the second half. There were ironic cheers from the home crowd when Karius played his next clearance first time under pressure rather than attempting to beat his man. Otherwise he did not have a save of note to make all game. Punching away an Alexis Sánchez free-kick and an Özil corner was, in truth, the sum total of Karius’s exertions.

“He took too long on the ball sometimes but he needs to get used to playing football in close situations,” Klopp explained. “You need games to learn to play in close spaces as a goalkeeper and as an outfield player.”

The Liverpool manager’s other defensive change from the Champions League play-off defeat of Hoffenheim in midweek was Joe Gomez for Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back. That decision was vindicated before half-time with Gomez having a vital role in both Liverpool goals. The defender reacted quicker than the woeful Héctor Bellerin to win possession for Roberto Firmino’s opener, also providing the inch-perfect cross, and intercepted Sánchez’s attempted through ball to the same player in the buildup to Sadio Mané’s second.

Gomez typified the chasm between the two teams in many respects. Both sides may be blessed with creative talent but only Liverpool worked hard enough to let it flourish. As against Hoffenheim, Klopp’s forward line mesmerised again but the urgency and strength in his central midfield and the appetite throughout the Liverpool ranks put Arsenal to shame. The suited Mignolet could only sit back and admire.

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