Liverpool's Loris Karius can take inspiration from David de Gea's early setbacks at Man Utd
Thursday 12 January 2017 14:10, UK
Simon Mignolet has re-established himself as Liverpool's No 1 - but David de Gea's turbulent start at Manchester United could offer hope to Loris Karius.
Liverpool signed Karius for £4.7m from Mainz last summer and he inherited the vacant No 1 jersey after regular goalkeeper Mignolet faced widespread criticism for making several errors during the 2015/16 season - including four leading directly to goals.
However, the 23-year-old has had a difficult start to life in the Premier League himself. A pre-season hand injury delayed his debut before high-profile, point-costing errors against Bournemouth and West Ham put him in the spotlight in December.
After making just 10 Premier League appearances, Karius has not featured in the league since his error against West Ham, with Mignolet returning to the starting XI.
However, the German started Liverpool's 1-0 defeat to Southampton in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final on Wednesday and made a string of fine saves, leading Kop manager Jurgen Klopp to say "Loris Karius had to save our life".
The German is likely to return on the bench for Liverpool's trip to Old Trafford to face United on Nissan Super Sunday - but, watching on, he may be able to take inspiration from the home side's No 1.
Live Nissan Super Sunday
De Gea has been named United's player of the year for three successive seasons - but, like Karius, endured teething problems following his 2011 switch from Atletico Madrid.
The 20-year-old - then a relative unknown, despite his £19m price tag - was criticised for an error which led to a West Brom goal on his debut.
He bounced back with a clean sheet against Spurs and penalty save versus Arsenal, but a 6-1 hammering at home to Manchester City and a costly mistake against Blackburn saw the Spaniard dropped.
An injury to replacement Anders Lindegaard in February of the 2011/12 season gave De Gea the chance to re-establish himself in the team, though, and he seized his chance.
De Gea kept his place in the starting XI and by the end of the following 2012/13 campaign he was a Premier League winner and selected in the team of the year.
It's a lesson former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland believes Karius can learn from. "Karius had a few games and now he's out again. He made a couple of mistakes and he found it tough," the ex-England shot-stopper told Sky Sports.
"The criticism wasn't justified but the pressure was on Karius to come in and do well. Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way. He's still young, but he needs to make sure he learns from it.
"De Gea was getting a lot of stick at the start. He was making mistakes, but he's been outstanding over the last few years.
"He's a big, big player and a massive presence. The defenders know what he can do and he is a big boost for them. After those mistakes when he first came to England, who would have said he would do what he's done?"
Live Nissan Super Sunday
De Gea's rise has proven that sticking with a young goalkeeper can pay dividends. The problem Karius faces now is the improved form of Mignolet.
The Belgian has been criticised for a number of mistakes since his 2013 move to Liverpool. Indeed, he made six errors leading to goals in his first season at Anfield and was dropped for matches with Manchester United and Arsenal in December 2014.
Mignolet has also lost his starting spot a number of times during Klopp's tenure but since replacing Karius in goal this season, the Belgian has kept three clean sheets and only conceded three goals in five matches, whereas Karius conceded 12 in his 10 Premier League appearances, recording three shutouts.
However, the Belgian's recent form in the Premier League has produced his best minutes-per-goal-conceded ratio since joining Liverpool (81.8 minutes), whereas Karius' has recorded an average of 75 minutes.
"Simon was harshly left out but now he's back, kept clean sheets and been superb," said Kirkland. "He is Liverpool's No 1 and that won't change for the foreseeable future.
"Do Liverpool need someone else? If Joe Hart becomes available, it would take a brave man not to go and get him. But one thing with Jurgen is he backs his players and I'm sure he'll stick with the two he's got."
Should Liverpool stick with Mignolet or give Karius a run of games? Or should the Reds swoop for out-of-favour Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart? Let us know what you think by using the comments box on the website or by tweeting @SkyFootball
