We still need you Karius...
JURGEN KLOPP has told fallen No1 Loris Karius he still has a role to play at Liverpool.
The Reds manager has demoted Karius to make world-record £65million signing Alisson his first-choice goalkeeper.
But Klopp will not ditch his fellow German and instead claims he can still help the team by competing with Alisson.
“Obviously Alisson is a world-class goalkeeper, so we’re not going to say, ‘Let’s have a look’,” said Klopp. “He will play, of course. He is the No1 for Brazil and then there is the fee. When Alisson is ready, he will be in our goal.
“We all need to help him so he can perform as good as possible. That is maybe the only difference. But for that to happen we need a strong squad around him and Loris is an outstanding goalkeeper. That’s the truth. Nothing else.
“My job, together with [fellow transfer committee members] Michael Edwards and Mike Gordon, is to bring the best players who are available for Liverpool, if they fit in.
“That’s what we’ve tried to do. Then my job is to work with these boys and give them this kind of shape that they can work together in the best possible way.”
Klopp has nurtured Karius since he signed him from Mainz two years ago and says he will still help him as he battles to recover his confidence following his collapse in form, which culminated in an error-strewn display in the Champions League final defeat by Real Madrid.
“That will not change,” said the manager. “Whatever we do in these situations, it’s nothing for the public.” Klopp is expected to continue his goalkeeping overhaul after Danny Ward’s departure to Leicester by letting Simon Mignolet leave if he receives a suitable offer. Mignolet, who is still on holiday following the World Cup, is now Liverpool’s thirdchoice keeper and his playing prospects are very slim. Alisson will join up with Liverpool at the start of next week for the mini training camp in Evian and Klopp says he will probably make his debut a few days later against Napoli at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on August 4. “I would say so,” said Klopp. “When I saw him at Melwood, he looked fit. He’s desperate to play. He wanted to stay but it made no sense. “He’s had a long year. As Brazil No1, it was quite an intense year. The World Cup is not a tournament you only play a little bit. So I sent him on holiday again.” STEVEN GERRARD has raided his old club once more to sign winger Ryan Kent on loan for Rangers. Kent, 21, is the second Liverpool youngster to move to the Scottish Premiership club this summer after midfielder Ovie Ejaria. Kent described the decision to move to Glasgow as a “no-brainer.” He said: “It is a really exciting move. Everybody knows what a massive club they are and when the opportunity came around to join a club of this magnitude, it was a bit of a no-brainer. “Steven Gerrard has achieved many great things. To learn from him is great.”
‘Obviously Alisson will play’