New Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius has made known his intentions of becoming the new No. 1 at Anfield and described Jurgen Klopp as one of the best coaches in the world.
Karius, 22, sealed a £4.7 million move from Mainz last week to provide added competition for first-choice keeper Simon Mignolet.
The former Germany under-21 international, who spent time with Manchester City as a youth, was ever-present for Mainz as they finished sixth in the Bundesliga last season but he told Sport Bild he is ready for the challenge of fighting for his place at Liverpool.
“Competition is just part of a big club like this,” he said. “I want to become the No. 1, have success with Liverpool and play in Europe as soon as possible. Those are my goals.”
He said Liverpool contacted his agent, Florian Goll, after the winter break in Germany and stepped up their interest towards the end of the season, and “everything went really fast” from that point.
“The day before I signed the contract I was shown around the club and its surroundings,” he added. “I was immediately convinced that this would be the right and the next important step in my career.”
He said he spoke with Klopp on numerous occasions and that their conversations only served to reinforce his decision.
“He was a huge factor because he is one of the best coaches in the world and has shown how well he can bring young players forward,” he said. “But there’s also the tradition of the club, this atmosphere, which is not that common in the world, and of course you improve financially. Overall, it’s the perfect package.”
Karius, who was named among the German top flight’s best keepers in a poll of Bundesliga.com users, hopes to earn senior international recognition if he can produce his best form with Liverpool.
Germany boss Joachim Low named Manuel Neuer, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Bernd Leno in his squad for Euro 2016, with Kevin Trapp and Ron-Robert Zieler among those missing out.
“We have many good keepers in Germany, and that’s why you can never let your form dip,” Karius said. “I have to cause a stir in Liverpool and do my job really well — if I achieve that then, and that’s what I hope, I will one day get the call to the German national team
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