Not so long ago, Liverpool were regarded as one of the most fragile teams defensively in the Premier League but Jurgen Klopp has done really well to address their deficiencies at the back this season. While Virgil van Dijk has been effective, the breath of fresh air that German ace Loris Karius has brought to the backline cannot go unnoticed.
He is now the first choice shot-stopper for Klopp and reports now suggest that he has impressed the manager so much that he has now earned himself a new contract.
Karius Offered Pay Rise:
The Reds are expected to be in the transfer market for another GK this summer with Simon Mignolet unhappy with his current situation. But Klopp is convinced that Karius is a long-term option for the club and is ready to offer him a new deal, which wills see a significant increase on his current £50,000-a-week wage package.
He has shown some decent form recently for Liverpool but does he really deserve a new deal?
Karius Growing In Confidence:
The former Mainz keeper joined the Reds back in 2016 and though he was given a chance under the bar early in his PL career, was not able to grab it with both hands, and showed considerable weakness. Many faithful Reds wrote him off and wanted Klopp to spend on another player to solve their age-old GK issue but since the turn of the year, such demands are only decreasing in number.
Having claimed the first team spot from Mignolet since the first game of 2018, Karius along with Virgil van Dijk have truly reformed the Liverpool defence. While Van Dijk has been a monster, adding mettle to the central area, Karius has shown great composure and confidence in goal, making a couple of superb saves in crucial times.
Saves against Yannick Bolasie in the Merseyside derby, Mohamed Diame against Newcastle United and the late save from Banega against Sevilla have all earned the Reds some points and it quite evident that he is ready to take up the mantle at Anfield.
But Is He Liverpool’s Best Option?
The Reds will want no weak links in their squad, in order to mount a title challenge next season. They are looking at the likes of Jan Oblak, Jack Butland and Alisson Becker for a move but this step by Liverpool, to offer Karius an extension shows the confidence Klopp has on the 24-year old.
The German tactician knows the keeper from his time in Bundesliga and brought him to Anfield. He certainly knows his potential and if he had decided to stick with him for another year, Liverpool need not be too worried about this situation.
Alisson and Oblak are certain upgrades and will not be backups and pushing Karius on to the bench just now can seriously dent his confidence. He may not be a world beater yet but he certainly deserves another uninterrupted year, to realize his potential.
Mignolet, if he quits, might send Liverpool into the market for a GK but do you think they need to spend big on someone to replace Karius in the first team?