And it had everything to do with Loris Karius.

On Monday, Liverpool will travel to Crystal Palace in a Premier League clash that promises to entertain. Newly signed goalkeeper Alisson will be keen on a second clean sheet in two English top-flight games, but according to Jurgen Klopp, he considered snubbing the Brazilian.

The Selecao shot-stopper sealed his move to Anfield on a $72M deal, which was a world-record fee for a goalkeeper shortly until Chelsea surpassed that tally when they signed Kepa. A world-class custodian was tipped as the missing piece of the Reds' jigsaw puzzle, but Jurgen contemplated not signing him.

The reason is due to Loris Karius. The German had committed two blunders in the Champions League final against Real Madrid which ended up costing them the game, with fans and critics calling for him to be replaced.

However, the nightmare in Kyiv in which he gifted Benzema a goal and made a mess of Bale's long-range effort almost made Klopp stick with the 25-year-old. This was because he did not appreciate seeing Karius get demonized for his poor display but admitted ahead of their Selhurst Park trip that he could not put the goalkeeper's feelings ahead of the club.

"We simply identified another keeper, who is better, and signed him," he told Kicker, as per Football365.

"I didn't tell Karius what he wanted to hear, but how it is. The Champions League final had nothing to do with us getting Alisson. Even if he had won it and Alisson would have been on the market we would have still signed him.

"How the people reacted negatively to Karius after the final, tried to isolate him, almost made me not get Alisson and rather stick it out with Karius. But we had to be professional. Our job is to have the best players at every position.

"[Karius] is now 25, at an age, in which keepers keep improving. All the best keepers make mistakes. But sometimes timing is important in life. If Loris makes a mistake now it isn't cool. In eight years nobody will care. We are totally happy with him."

Unless he suffers an injury, Alisson will retain his spot as Liverpool number one choice in between the sticks. The former Roma star had little to do in their 4-0 opening day victory over West Ham but should be in for a challenge against the Eagles, led by Wilfried Zaha.

 

Match details, result and original broadcast info

Crystal Palace 0 - 2 Liverpool

August 20, 2018 3:00pmSelhurst Park (London)

This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.

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