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Liverpool boss Klopp hails Karius amid Anfield arrival: Expected to challenge Mignolet
LORIS KARIUS has been handed the No1 jersey by Liverpool after completing a £4.7m move from Bundesliga side Mainz.
Loris Karius has been capped at U21 level by Germany
The goalkeeper asked for the shirt number after signing a five-year contract and manager Jurgen Klopp has agreed. Karius, 22, will be expected to challenge Simon Mignolet at Anfield next season for a starting role in the team.
"I spoke to the manager and I had a good feeling afterwards because he told me what he wants to do with the club and with the players," said the Germany Under-21 international, who spent two years at Manchester City as a teenager.
Mignolet's form was heavily scrutinised last season and the rivals will now go head-to-head in pre-season. Current understudy Danny Ward is expected to join Huddersfield on a season-long loan with the Championship side managed by Klopp's friend, David Wagner. Adam Bogdan, who started the season as Mignolet's No2, will leave after a number of high-profile mistakes.
Meanwhile, Liverpool will face Luis Suarez and Barcelona at Wembley on August 6 as part of their International Champions Cup commitments.