The goalkeeper was dropped for Liverpool’s trip to Middlesbrough.
Steve Claridge has told BBC Sport that Jurgen Klopp’s decision to drop Loris Karius from the Liverpool team was the right one to make.
The German goalkeeper has come in for criticism in recent weeks after mistakes against Bournemouth and West Ham United.
His manager has offered him stern backing amid that criticism, even starting a row with pundit Gary Neville to back his man.
Despite that he took the surprising decision to drop him for the midweek trip to Middlesbrough, instead electing to go with Simon Mignolet between the sticks.
The majority of Liverpool fans backed the choice and Claridge says it was the right one to make.
“Some people will question whether Jurgen Klopp has relented under pressure but it is probably the right time to take Loris Karius out of the firing line,” he told BBC Sport.
“He has not played well and there have been question marks for a few weeks. I don’t think Karius inspires confidence for those in front of him.”
It will be interesting to see how long Karius remains out of the Liverpool team after being dropped for this game.
His manager has likely made the decision to take him out of the firing line at this moment in time rather than risk him making more mistakes and come in for further criticism.
However, he will not want to leave him out for too long and risk damaging his confidence too much, especially after backing him so strongly.
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