James Milner wasn’t the only Liverpool player who used to be contracted to our Champions League opponents Manchester City, you know…
A few years back, Loris Karius was on their books, rated as a very promising teenage stopper.
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He spent 2009-11 at the Etihad, but never made an appearance, transferring to Mainz where he became recognised as one of the Bundesliga’s best goalkeepers, which encouraged Jurgen Klopp to buy him in 2016.
Karius’s early troubles at Anfield were well publicised, but since winning the no.1 spot from Simon Mignolet in January, the goalkeeper is beginning to fulfil his undeniable potential.
He’s claimed his spell at City did wonders for him at the time, especially working under Joe Hart, who still belongs to the Citizens.
“I played for the U18s and the reserves and was training every day with the first team really, with Joe Hart who was a great guy and helped me a lot back then. He was a great role model and I don’t really regret anything,” he told Sky Sports.
“But then I made a decision that I wanted to play first-team football regularly, and it was quite difficult for a young player, especially as a goalkeeper, so I thought I’d have to take a little step back to a smaller club. As long as I saw the chance to play there and progress as a young player and then hopefully move onto a bigger club in the future. That’s what happened so it worked out well.”
There were suggestions Karius could have done better for Leroy Sane’s Anfield goal the last time we hosted City, but there’ll be no room for mistakes next Wednesday.
A positive result is completely vital, especially considering we’ll be going to the Etihad a week later.