Loris Karius: Klopp Urged Liverpool Stay

According to the German goalkeeper, Kloppo wanted him in the Liverpool squad.

When the final whistle blew in Kiev, it was hard to think of anything but the disastrous final hour of the final, one which saw two key players—Mohamed Salah and Loris Karius—intentionally injured, and Liverpool’s chances for #6 flushed down the toilet.

In that moment, it was hard to think ahead to the future. When the dust finally settled, it was hard to see a future for Karius at Liverpool, despite the news of a concussion sustained in the final. Karius himself, apparently, also saw the writing on the wall, despite manager Jurgen Klopp’s encouragement to stay around Anfield.

“[Klopp] told me he would like to have me in the squad because he wants to have the best quality players,” Karius said in an interview yesterday (also, unlucky, Mignolet). “But I spoke to him and asked him for my wish, it is important to me to play for Besiktas.

“I think it was a good deal for everyone. He wished me well but he said he would have liked to keep me.

“I’m still young for a goalkeeper. I want to make the next step and hopefully win many titles with Besiktas.”

This seems quite in character for the Liverpool boss, not just the kind sentiment, but also in allowing a player to leave once they have voiced their desire to do so.

It is also telling that, despite the final, Klopp hoped to keep Karius in ahead of Mignolet. Stylistically, the German keeper was far better suited to the way Klopp wants to play than the Belgian pear aficionado. He did, after all, get us to a Champions League final, even if he could not get us over the line (malfunctioning brain notwithstanding).

Hopefully Karius can rehabilitate his career in Turkey. Shortly after Liverpool find out their Champions League fate, Karius will be in line to help Besiktas secure their Europa League spot in the second leg of a play off. Good luck!

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com