He was given the nod ahead of Simon Mignolet.
Loris Karius was given a huge opportunity to stake his claim as Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper on Sunday when Jurgen Klopp started the German for the visit of Manchester City.
However, questions were once again asked of the 24-year-old for failing to keep out Leroy Sane’s effort at his near post. Sane made it 1-1 close to half-time after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had earlier struck the opener with a fine individual effort. While the City winger soaked up the acclaim, questions were inevitably asked of Karius’ attempt to save his compatriot’s effort.
Gary Neville criticised the keeper during his commentary for Sky Sports, claiming that, while Sane was close and generated a great deal of power on his effort, Karius should have still been able to beat the ball away at his near post. Neville claimed that, although powerful, the ball was at a comfortable height for the stopper.
Full-back Joe Gomez, who had misjudged the flight of Ilkay Gundogan’s raking crossfield pass to allow Sane to cut inside.
Poor from Karius. Shouldn't get beaten at your near post like that
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) January 14, 2018
Brilliant from Sane. Made from nothing.
Karius – oh dear— James Robson (@jamesalanrobson) January 14, 2018
Karius has had one there.
— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawTel) January 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/ItsJurgenKlopp/status/952581447591825408
Oh dear. That's a goal of a few errors. First Gomez and then Karius. Not good.
— AnfieldIndex (@AnfieldIndex) January 14, 2018
Also speaking on Sky Sports, former Republic of Ireland keeper Shay Given offered his assessment of Karius for Sane’s goal.
“To be fair, he’s disappointed – he knows he’s been beaten. He’ll look back on this and be disappointed. I think his hands are low and by the time he gets them up so the ball flies past him by the time he gets them up. You can tell by his reaction, though, that he knows it’s a goalkeeping error.”
Just don’t rate Karius. Never looks confident. Flaps a lot. Awful shot stopper. I want to see him improve but I don’t see much progression.
— Andrew 🔴 (@AnfieldTruth) January 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/charIparkes_/status/952584969523785730
