According to the Mirror, Besiktas have approached Liverpool over a deal for Loris Karius.
What’s the story?
Following Karius’ nightmarish Champions League final showing last season, and the big money acquisition of Alisson this summer, the German shot-stopper’s days as Liverpool’s first choice ‘keeper look to be a thing of the past.
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Jurgen Klopp may have handed the 25-year-old the No. 1 jersey in a nice gesture of solidarity, but if Karius is to make himself a starter again then it’ll necessitate a move away from Anfield.
Karius may not at this time, or ever, be a world class goalkeeper. He is more than capable of carving out a very solid Premier League career for himself though, if just a little further down the food chain.
Given that Karius’ stock has never been lower, Southampton should have pounced on this chance to sign a damaged but undeniably talented ‘keeper this summer.
A second chance
In what would have been a neat reversal of a recent trend, Southampton should have signed a young talent from Liverpool this summer.
Despite having brought in Angus Gunn during the transfer window, Southampton’s net-minding options are uninspiring. Karius would have certainly represented an upgrade on the current crop and would have provided stiff competition for Alex McCarthy.
As good as Karius would have been for the Saints, a switch to St Mary’s Stadium would likely have benefitted him too.
If the Liverpool man’s career is to fully recover from his disaster in Kiev he must get back to playing regular football quickly. Even a loan move to the south coast club this season would have afforded him that opportunity to regain his confidence by playing week in week out away from the intense glare that is permanently focused upon a club such as Liverpool.
Staying in the Premier League, rather than opting for this purported switch to Besiktas, would have also given Karius the chance to prove himself on these shores too. For the sake of his confidence, that would have been a massive step to take.
