'Karius has taken his chance - but there's more to come'
Jürgen Klopp praised the development of Loris Karius - and the role played in it by his colleagues - as he reflected on the positive situation in Liverpool's goalkeeping department.
The 24-year-old has started each of the team’s past 18 matches, recording 10 clean sheets during that period.
And whatever happens when the Reds face Real Madrid in the Champions League final later this month, Karius will end the European campaign with the most shutouts in the competition.
With a trip to Chelsea next on Liverpool’s agenda in the Premier League on Sunday, the manager was asked how the stopper has progressed since breaking his hand in a pre-season friendly against the same opponents back in 2016.
“He progressed a lot. I’m really happy with his progress. [There is] still a lot to come, I’m sure,” the manager replied at his pre-match press conference.
“Having games like he had in the last few weeks and months helps; nothing helps you more as a goalkeeper. Having fantastic moments, having rather not-that-good moments, is all part of development.
“He really took the chance that we gave him a few months ago and was a big part of us being more stable in that period. It’s cool.
“There is nothing bad about Simon Mignolet. Both Danny Ward and Simon are in really good shape, both physically and mentally. They push hard, to be honest, and that’s good. The situation on the goalkeeper side is a good one in the moment – all fit, all hard-working. That’s how it should be.
“Before [Karius] broke his hand he was in outstanding shape already and was exactly the boy we signed. After that obviously it was a little bit more difficult, that’s true.
“I’ve said before, it was my mistake; I changed [goalkeepers] too early that time and he was then obviously not ready in that moment, physically not ready.
“When a player breaks a leg you know that’s quite a harsh thing. If a goalkeeper breaks his hand it’s similar. And I underestimated that a little bit. It’s long ago, so all good.”