Jürgen Klopp has revealed that he considered turning down the chance to sign Alisson Becker in support of Loris Karius after the criticism the German goalkeeper received after last season's Champions League final.
Karius made two costly mistakes in the Kiev showpiece, a game which Liverpool would go on to lose 3-1.
The calls for Liverpool to sign a world class shot-stopper had been made for months previous to the final, but Karius's disastrous showing saw these sentiments become even more pronounced among supporters.
Despite the mounting pressure for a new recruit, in an interview with German magazine Kicker, Klopp said that he nearly rejected the opportunity to acquire the Brazilian keeper.
The Champions League final had nothing to do with us getting Alisson. Even if he had won it and Alisson would have been on the market we would have still signed him.
And how the people reacted negatively to Karius after the final, by trying to isolate him, that almost made me not sign Alisson and rather stick it out with Karius. But we had to be professional, our job is to have the best players in every position
While it had been hoped that Karius would shake off his Champions League blunders, his confidence appeared shattered upon his return to pre-season, making a couple of mistakes that were widely ridiculed on social media.
Alisson would soon join the club in a then world record deal worth up to £67 million, making his debut in a 5-0 victory over Napoli in Dublin.
Despite signing his replacement, Klopp still has faith that Karius can go on to be a top goalkeeper.
Absolutely, Loris is a great keeper.
So what he made a mistake in the pre-season? A pre-season is full of mistakes, nobody is fit and you train all the time. Out-field players make tons of mistakes. Loris has to continue to work hard.
Loris is now 25, at an age, in which keepers keep improving. All the best keepers make mistake, but sometimes timing is important in life. If Loris makes a mistake now, it isn't cool. In eight years nobody will care. We are totally happy with him.
We simply identified another keeper, who is better, and signed him.
Karius has been linked with a move away from the club before the close of the European transfer window, with Turkish side Besiktas said to be pursuing a loan move.
Perhaps a move away from the limelight would be best for all parties at this stage.
