TIME TO BE MIG FIGHTER
Keepers battle it out
SIMON MIGNOLET has been axed for Liverpool’s Champions League opener – but Jurgen Klopp says Loris Karius is not necessarily his No.1.
The Anfield boss is set to continue his controversial rotation policy for his keepers which means Karius has been given the nod at home to Sevilla tonight.
Klopp left Belgium international Mignolet out of his starting line-up against Arsenal last month.
But the German insists it is about finding game-time for both men and that does not mean Karius (inset) is definitely now his first choice.
“No it doesn’t mean that,” Klopp said. “If they train bad they don’t deserve a game, but they both train really well, they keep the level really high.
“If we don’t give them a game then every year we have to find a No.2, 33 years old, who still can catch a few balls and doesn’t want to play any more – that’s really difficult to find someone like that.
“I prefer having a group of good goalkeepers and that means you have to change things.”
Liverpool boss Klopp also confirmed that Philippe Coutinho will be in tonight’s squad.
The Brazilian playmaker hasn’t featured for the Reds this season following injury and speculation about his ® potential move to Barcelona. Klopp will also check on the fitness of Mohamed Salah who did not train yesterday because of illness.
Meanwhile, Klopp claimed he knew Liverpool’s appeal to reduce Sadio Mane’s three-match ban would be a waste of time.
The 25-year-old was shown a straight red on Saturday after his high boot caught Manchester City keeper Ederson in the face.
The Senegal international will now be suspended for Liverpool’s Premier League matches against Burnley and Leicester, in addition to a trip to the Foxes in the EFL Cup.
“I didn’t expect anything different,” said Klopp. “It was really our duty to appeal but it was a waste of time, obviously.
“Our appeal was right. We could have appealed the red card but we didn’t. “We only appealed the length of the suspension. “I never thought it would happen but only because I am used to things like this.
“There were a lot of situations which were similar.
“All the other players were lucky, only Sadio was unlucky.
“And obviously Ederson was unlucky. It looks really awful and he was also lucky nothing more serious happened.”