Thursday 14 July 2016 13:31, UK
Loris Karius has hinted he could start the season as Liverpool's first choice goalkeeper after opting not to go to the Olympics.
Karius was guaranteed a starting place in Germany's team at the Games, but decided against chasing gold in Rio after speaking to manager Jurgen Klopp.
The 23-year-old, who played the first half of Liverpool's 5-0 friendly win on Wednesday night, revealed Klopp did not want him to miss the start of the Premier League.
"I spoke with the manager and we said that it doesn'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," said Karius.
"We agreed together I wouldn't be going [to Rio de Janeiro].
"First I spoke with Jurgen 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."
German U21 keeper Karius, who arrived on Merseyside for £4.7m from Mainz in May, is expected to provide serious competition to Simon Mignolet.
"Of course I know that a club like this has more competition," added Karius. "It's a bigger club and better players means more competition.
"I am not scared or anything. If I was, I wouldn't have come here. I have a good feeling.
"I wouldn't come here just to sit on the bench. That doesn't make sense for me. I'm not a keeper who hasn't shown his ability. I know I am 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."
