Loris Karius has given up the chance to represent Germany at the Olympics to fight for the number one goalkeeper spot at Liverpool instead.
After Jurgen Klopp spoke to the 23-year-old, he opted to put club before his country as he bids to establish himself at Anfield following his move from Mainz.
‘I spoke with the manager and we said that it didn’t make sense for me to go to the Olympics as I would miss the first two league games of the season and of course I want to play in them,’ Karius explained.
‘We agreed together I wouldn’t be going. First I spoke with Jürgen and then together we spoke with the German people who wanted me to go. The priority is the club. It’s more important that I am available for the start of the season.’
Karius, who played 45 minutes during the Reds’ 5-0 triumph over Fleetwood Town on Wednesday refused to divulge further information about his discussion with the Reds boss, but he is relishing the challenge ahead of the new season.
He added: ‘What we talked about stays with us. Of course, I know a club like this has more competition.
‘It’s a bigger club and better players means more competition, but I am not scared of anything. If I was, I wouldn’t have come here. I have a good feeling.
‘I wouldn’t come here to sit on the bench. That doesn’t make sense. I’m not a ‘keeper who hasn’t shown his ability. I’m a good goalkeeper and I’ve shown that a lot.
‘I could have stayed at Mainz and played there. If I wasn’t sure I could come and play here this season, I wouldn’t have done it.’
The German international went on to say that he is delighted to be back in England after spending nearly five years in the Bundesliga.
‘When I left Man City I was still really young and I decided to go somewhere else to get some first-team experience,” he continued.
‘I took the step to Mainz. I needed to join a smaller club to get my career going as a young player – I did everything right with that move.
‘I had almost three full seasons in the Bundesliga there. I am still young but I’ve played around 100 games in the Bundesliga so I have some experience.
‘I thought it was time to take the next step in my career. The opportunity to join Liverpool came up and I thought it was a good next step for me.’
