Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp defends reversal in Loris Karius stance with goalkeeper on verge of exit after defending his Champions League horror show
The German shot-stopper is reportedly poised to join Turkish side Besiktas following the arrival of Alisson from Roma
JURGEN KLOPP has defended his Loris Karius U-turn as the Liverpool keeper nears an Anfield exit.
The German has been deemed as surplus to requirements following the arrival of Alisson from Roma for £67million.
Karius, 25, was at fault for two goals during the 3-1 Champions League defeat against Real Madrid last season, but Klopp insisted he was still in his plans.
While he also made howlers in the 3-2 pre-season win against Tranmere, and the International Champions Cup defeat against Borussia Dortmund, but still received the backing of his manager.
But after losing his place in the starting XI, Karius looks set to join Besiktas in a £9.5million deal after the Turkish giants posted a picture of him in their kit.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s clash against Brighton, Klopp insisted that “things in football change.”
The Liverpool manager said: “There’s nothing new about Loris.
“If it happens that’s how it goes in football, these things can happen.
“As a manager you don’t usually need much time between one game and another to get the sack, that’s how things can change.
“Things in football change.”
Klopp also lauded the mercurial talent of Senegal international Sadio Mane, who has banged in three goals in the opening two Premier League games.
A double against West Ham was followed up with a strike against Crystal Palace, and Klopp has been singing the praises of the ex-Southampton winger.
The former Borussia Dortmund boss said: “He plays his third season here. He has constantly improved. We really knew we would get a good player when he came from Southampton.
“He’s stepped it up. He’s a very nice person. That’s it. All the others benefit from good players around but we can still improve and so can Sadio but his consistency is quite impressive.
“Can he be quicker? Yes. Can he improve his left foot? A little. His right? Probably not.
“He’s a player and we wanted him because of the skills he had and he is already more consistent than he was in the past. If he keeps that it’s an absolute dream for each coach.”