Ward in running for Reds start

HUDDERSFIELD Town promotion hero Danny Ward is in contention for the No1 at Liverpool this season, according to Reds manager Jurgen Klopp.

Ward spent a successful season on loan with Town last term, helping them to promotion to the Premier League for the first time in the club’s history.

And his performances last year which included three crucial penalty saves in two play-off shootouts have not gone unnoticed by the Reds’ boss.

Ward returned to parent club Liverpool over the summer and the former Borussia Dortmund coach has revealed that the Welshman is in a three-way battle to claim a starting spot between the sticks at Anfield.

He told the club’s official website: “That’s very comfortable for the manager, three really good goalkeepers.

“It is like it is and nothing is decided, they can all show how good they are. I don’t want to bring doubt so that they start doubting.

“They are at a fantastic club and a fantastic football club needs fantastic goalkeepers. We had a really good goalkeeping season.

“Yes, it was a little bit difficult for Loris but I’m sure he had his part in the development of Simon, who played a really good season. And Danny played a fantastic season at Huddersfield with a big success at the end.

“We have three goalkeepers and they can all show what they are able to do, and then we will see who will start.” ■■Chelsea striker Diego Costa will miss the start of pre-season training.

The 28-year-old’s absence has been mutually agreed and he did not join the squad as they returned to work on yesterday.