Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Loris Karius is his number one goalkeeper ahead of Simon Mignolet.
The summer arrival from Mainz 05 missed the opening weeks of the campaign after sustaining a hand injury during pre-season, but has since worked his way into the side and started the last five games in all competitions.
Klopp revealed that he made the decision to stick with Karius following the last international break, but appeared to leave the door open for Mignolet to work his way back into the side.
"In this moment, we have a number one and that's Loris Karius, like we had a number one when Loris was not fit and it was Simon. That's the situation and what the goalkeepers know. I cannot leave them in doubt. There was a short period, a short moment, with the two or three games we gave Loris to see a little bit more of him," he told reporters.
"After the last international break, I spoke to both of them and we made this decision. I know for a player it is always a big thing not to start, not to play, but for a goalkeeper it's a little bit more different.
"In this moment, there's nothing else to say. We made the decision and that's the ranking, if you want. Loris is, in this moment, number one and Simon is, in this moment, number two, but that's all."
Karius has kept two clean sheets during his five outings for the club so far, and is yet to be on the losing side.
Barney Corkhill
