Man management can be a tricky task, especially in the case of a goalkeeper.
Liverpool’s Loris Karius
Buying a new goalkeeper was a priority in the eyes of many Liverpool fans in the summer, and judging by the swift nature that Loris Karius was acquired from Mainz, it seemed Jurgen Klopp and his staff agreed.
Simon Mignolet had been the first choice goalkeeper at Anfield for three seasons and hadn’t entirely convinced. Costly errors and uncertainty from the Belgian meant that patience was wearing a little thin from those in the stands.
So Liverpool invested in a fresh faced goalkeeper who, at the age of 23, could be the side’s number one for many years to come. Given that he came in and took the number one jersey, and it was ensured that he would miss the Olympics with Germany, it seemed Karius was destined to start the season as the club’s first choice goalkeeper – only for a broken hand picked up on the pre-season tour of the United States to rule him out of the opening games of the season.
Tottenham’s Josh Onomah in action with Liverpool’s Simon Mignolet
Now, Karius has resumed full training, and Mignolet has started all four games so far this season. Goalkeeping can be a difficult position to man manage. Mignolet hasn’t done an awful lot wrong so far, but there is plenty to suggest that Karius will be Klopp’s first choice.
Given that Karius has resumed full training, there is the option to wait for a little while, by perhaps introducing him to the Reds first team environment by naming on the bench – but that would beg the question, if he’s fit enough to be on the bench, then surely he’s fit enough to start?
Liverpool’s run of games before the next international break is as follows: Leicester (H), Chelsea (A), Derby (A), Hull (H), Swansea (A).
Liverpool’s Loris Karius (2nd L) in action
Playing him against both Leicester and Chelsea could be seen as throwing him in at the deep end – then again if he was fit to start the season, he would’ve also been thrown in at the deep end given the difficulty of the fixtures the Reds were served.
But there is the option of easing Karius into life, and not taking any chances with his hand. Some will suggest that Derby County could be the ideal game to give him his debut as the Reds will look to continue to progress in the EFL Cup and keep him in the side for Premier League encounters against Hull and Swansea City.
That’s if Klopp feels he needs to ease his new man into action ahead of a huge clash with Manchester United following the international break, and some minutes under his belt.
The challenge will be managing Mignolet. Has Klopp made it clear to Mignolet that Karius will be ahead of him in the pecking order? Or just that he’s competition for him?
Liverpool’s Simon Mignolet looks dejected after conceding a goal
Putting Karius in the side straight away will be a definitive sign that he is the number one goalkeeper at the club and that Mignolet has an uphill struggle to get back into the side. But if he’s eased into the first team, it could be a sign that it is genuine competition between the two.
The feeling is Karius will be Liverpool’s number one, but the way he’s introduced to the side could say a lot about the future of Mignolet at the club.
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