Over the past few weeks the tide has turned in favour of Liverpool goalkeeper Lloris Karius. The young German was a laughing stock last season after numerous mistakes led Jurgen Klopp to reinstate Simon Mignolet between the sticks.
But the 24-year-old has made several important stops over the last few games. In the build up to Liverpool's second leg with Porto, BT Sport pundit Owen Hargreaves, praised the turnaround of form:
Since he's come back into the side, he's made such important saves, the penalty against Tottenham. He's come back into the side and he's really earned his place. Big call from Jurgen Klopp taking Mignolet out and you have to credit Karius, he's performed at a very high level. He's very high rated, he was in Germany before he came over. Jurgen Klopp said he's got all the physical traits.He's made some big saves in games, to keep Liverpool in games. The question is do they need a number 1? Do they need a new goalkeeper, because he's performed so well.
When quizzed by about how Karius could make sure that Klopp doesn't enter the market for another keeper, Hargreaves was blunt in his appraisal: Not make a mistake.
Simple advice but that is what has been the problem with Liverpool's defence over the past couple of years. Individual errors have cost the club dearly in their pursuit of silverware and with the addition of Virgil Van Djik as well as an assured presence in front of goal you feel like Liverpool could challenge Man City next season.
There has been much talk of Liverpool's pursuit of Brazilian shot stopper Allison but with Roma supposedly slapping a €50 million price tag on the Brazil number one, it would certainly be helpful if the former Mainz stopper could keep up this form.
