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Pre-season blunder

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp jumps to the defence of flop Loris Karius after ANOTHER howler in Tranmere friendly after Champions League horror show

National League side found the net after the German goalkeeper fumbled a ball into the path of Jonny Smith

JURGEN KLOPP jumped to the defence of Loris Karius after the keeper added another howler to his collection.

The Liverpool stopper fumbled a strike from distance into the path of the opposition as Tranmere Rovers scored their first in the Red's 3-2 win.

 Loris Karius signed for Liverpool in 2016 from Mainz 05 for £4.75m
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Loris Karius signed for Liverpool in 2016 from Mainz 05 for £4.75mCredit: Rex Features

The spotlight is on the German star after he made two howlers against Real Madrid in the Champions League final.

Karius would have been hoping to put last season's horror show behind him when his side kicked off their pre-season preparations.

But his nightmare continued as Ollie Norburn fired a free kick at him from around 25 yards.

The goalkeeper spilled the ball into the path of Jonny Smith, who tucked the ball into the net from eight yards.

 Karius's spill allowed Tranmere to score
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Karius's spill allowed Tranmere to score
 Jurgen Klopp was forced to defend Loris Karius after another mistake
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Jurgen Klopp was forced to defend Loris Karius after another mistakeCredit: Getty Images - Getty

When asked about another error by his No1, boss Jurgen Klopp said: "No one likes that goal but, if we talk about that, then the second goal is Milly’s [James Milner’s] fault,

“Two brilliant footballers make mistakes but we only talk about one. We can’t make a story after each mistake. Let’s carry on and make the best of the situation and learn from it.”

Klopp was then asked what could be done to prevent criticism of Karius and added: "You can stop it by not asking, promise?

"Until he has a few fantastic games you cannot change that. Our job is to support Loris. That’s our part of the deal. I saw this situation 500 times in my life: the ball hits his chest but what can you do?”

Fans were sent into frenzy after witnessing the 25-year-old's mistake during the friendly match.

 Loris Karius was slated by fans on Twitter after the match
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Loris Karius was slated by fans on Twitter after the matchCredit: Rex Features

One said: "Pleased to see the summer break has done Loris Karius the world of good."

While another added: "I'd take any goalkeeper in the Premier League over Karius. Literally absolutely anyone."

Fans even cruelly jumped to the conclusion that the shot-stopper must be still suffering with the concussion he picked up in the Champions League final.

After he conceded the goal, Tranmere star and Liverpool fan Ben Tollitt allegedly shouted "you're f****ng s**t" at the humiliated keeper.

 

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Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius cries after making two major errors in the Champions League final


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Klopp claimed last week that Karius is ready to resume his duty as Liverpool's No 1.

The Reds have been linked to several goalkeepers during this summer's transfer window, including Roma ace Alisson.

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