Featured Image: PA
After Liverpool's Loris Karius gifted Bournemouth a dramatic late winner during yesterday's enthralling 4-3 victory for the Cherries, Jurgen Klopp has leapt to the defence of his goalkeeper in the face of widespread criticism.
Apart from pulling off what appeared to be a vital point saving stop from Benik Afobe when the game was level at 3-3, Karius was unconvincing for most of yesterday's game, eventually spilling Steve Cook's shot into the path of Nathan Ake to hand Bournemouth all three points.
Bournemouth celebrate their last gasp comeback victory over Liverpool, thanks to a Karius howler (Image: PA)
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Liverpool manager Klopp, however, was unmoved by Karius' error and resolutely backed his 'keeper during a post match interview:
"If you make mistakes, you get criticised. That's life, absolutely no problem. If you have the quality you get stronger from it. I'm pretty sure Jamie Carragher was criticised during his career at some point.
"I respect and accept everything you say about us today. If you want to say we are blind, silly, not good enough, then do it. It doesn't influence what I think about my team. That's all.
Mignolet in disguise? Karius gifts Bournemouth the winner, yesterday (Image: PA)
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"Of course we made mistakes today, what else should I say? We missed chances... so we don't have good strikers? We have good strikers. The last goal wasn't the luckiest situation for a keeper. Loris will wish he had made a decent save, I'd have wished for a decent save.
"But this says nothing about him as a goalkeeper. It has happened and we go on."
It'll be interesting to see how patient Klopp remains with Karius, given the fact the young goalkeeper was brought to Anfield to replace the accident waiting to happen Simon Mignolet. The German manager could do without another calamity merchant between the sticks if he hopes to launch a successful Premier League title challenge.
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(H/T Liverpool Echo)
Topics: Football, Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool FC, Loris Karius