Reina gives Liverpool blunt instructions on Loris Karius

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Pepe Reina, arguably Liverpool’s best goalkeeper of the Premier League era, has launched a staunch defence of Loris Karius, the young German currently occupying the position between our sticks.

Reina, still a member of the Spain squad, left in 2013 after Brendan Rodgers decided to bring in Simon Mignolet, but the Belgian never fully convinced in three full campaigns and was this season replaced himself by Karius – the 23-year-old voted the Bundesliga’s second best stopper in 2015/16.

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The much loved Spaniard struggled early on himself, but won the FA Cup during his debut campaign and gradually improved until he was recognised as one of the world’s best three or four stoppers. Sadly, his peak didn’t last as long as we wish it had, but he’s adamant that Karius will come good.

“I think he doesn’t need any encouragement. I think he’s a brilliant goalkeeper who is doing really well,” Reina told ITV Sport.

“It’s a team, you know, that also at times has to do better for the goalkeeper.”

Reina’s comments indicate that Liverpool’s defence should be doing more to help the ex-Mainz stopper, and he’s probably right. Experienced pros like Dejan Lovren and Lucas let him down against Bournemouth and we hope Karius can put in a commanding performance against West Ham on Sunday to help silence some of the doubters.

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