Liverpool's Loris Karius happy to battle Simon Mignolet for No 1 jersey

Posted Monday, September 26, 2016 by Skysports.com

Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius is aware the competition for places means he cannot afford to be complacent having won the first battle to be Jurgen Klopp's first choice.

The German was selected ahead of the established Simon Mignolet for his Premier League debut in the 5-1 win over Hull.

Karius was signed by Klopp from his former club Mainz for £4.7m and the assumption was he would become the new number one.

However, a broken hand in pre-season delayed his availability but after a comfortable midweek run-out against Derby in the EFL Cup he was handed the chance to stake his claim.

"Obviously Mignolet and I train really well because we know we have a strong opponent so I think it is positive for us and the club," he said.

"We know we have to be at our best to play otherwise there will be another strong keeper waiting.

"It is really healthy competition and we don't have anything against each other and we try to help each other in training and get on okay so there is no issue between us.

"The one who doesn't play is going to be frustrated but the manager has to pick 11 players."

Karius' Premier League debut may not have finished with a clean sheet but he was rarely troubled by a Hull side who were reduced to 10 men early on and never posed much of a threat.

"I had games like this before but I will probably have them more here," he said.

"I hope it is like this as that means we are playing really well but as a goalkeeper you have to stay in the game because it goes really fast and you only need one shot on goal.

"It doesn't really change much whether you have a lot to do or not much. When we score a nice goal I am happy for the other guys and then I am a fan but the only time I can really have a break is when we score or when there is an injury break, otherwise you are focused."