- Jurgen Klopp praises Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius
- German produced superb first-half save to deny Mohamed Diame
- Reds were 1-0 up at the time of the stop
- SEE MORE: (Video) Watch Mane score v Newcastle & copy another Firmino celebration
Jurgen Klopp admits Loris Karius’ fine save to deny Mohamed Diame arrived at a pivotal time during Liverpool’s win over Newcastle.
The German shot-stopper produced a magnificent stretching save just before half time, athletically tipping the midfielder’s goal-bound effort over the bar.
His superb stop arrived shortly after Mohamed Salah had broken the deadlock with his 32nd goal in all competitions this season and joint-highest 24th in the league.
Discussing how important the goalkeeper’s moment in the spotlight was, Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com: “Very, very. I wouldn’t say that we would have had no chance afterwards to win the game, but if the ball is in it changes the game, for sure.”
“What was it, the 45th minute roundabout? So Newcastle would have said ‘perfect moment’, but for us it would have been exactly the opposite. It is exactly the life of a top-class goalkeeper; if you are at a top team, you have not a lot to do but when you have something to do you need to be there – and he was there, so it’s a good thing.”
“It was fantastic – it was like scoring, to be honest. We scored two more and that made the result. I’m happy about the result, it was a good result but it’s already over. We play on Tuesday again.”
“Look, if he was not a good goalkeeper I would be the biggest idiot in world football if I line him up. Maybe a few people think I am, but he is an outstandingly skilled goalkeeper.”
Karius’ notable contribution prevented Newcastle from piling on the frustration having contained Liverpool for the first 40 minutes with a well-drilled defensive approach.
It served as evidence of the points a top-performing goalkeeper is capable of helping earn in the Premier League and a glimpse of what the Reds need more of.
The former Mainz man is still someway off convincing supporters he is capable of leading the club forward, but there’s no denying his improvement since taking over from Simon Mignolet as no.1.
He’ll feel all the more better tonight knowing he played a key role in taking Liverpool back up to second-place in the Premier League.