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Liverpool don't have a goalkeeping problem - Alex Manninger

Liverpool's third-choice goalkeeper Alex Manninger has told The Times that Jurgen Klopp has no problems with his current shot-stopper options.

Simon Mignolet was re-installed as the Reds' No. 1 keeper in the early December after Loris Karius struggled in his few months following his £4.7 million summer move from Bundesliga side Mainz.

Karius has impressed in the cup competitions since his demotion, and Manninger considers the 23-year-old to be one of the most promising shot-stoppers around.

"I have been here for five months and have found out that the goalie thing is a bit Liverpool-specific," the 39-year-old said.

"I can say this because it is not going against people, but the unfortunate thing for Loris is that he didn't have a preseason [due to injury].

"He didn't train the way he wanted to do, to get a rhythm, a flow. He got thrown in by the coach, which is his decision, and unfortunately he couldn't take his chance. But he is not a bad goalkeeper because of this.

"I knew him from Germany and when Liverpool signed him I thought, 'Well done.' I know many other clubs wanted him. To get a young, complete goalkeeper is not easy.

"There are not many around and many are taken by clubs already -- [Thibaut] Courtois [Chelsea], [David] De Gea [Manchester United], [Kasper] Schmeichel [Leicester City]. It is difficult to get them in their early 20s or you pay silly money.

"Loris is one of the few capable of still improving and capable of being one of the big goalies in any league."

On Mignolet, he continued: "Simon is a competitor, a soldier.

"If I could choose someone to win something, not even a football game, it would be him because he is ultra-competitive for everything. It is always hard to be dropped but he is showing himself again.

"For me, the goalkeeping choice is not a choice where he [Klopp] cannot sleep about it. If there are problems, I don't think it is the goalkeeper position."

Meanwhile, the veteran Austrian does not consider Liverpool to be out of the Premier League title race.

Klopp's side are currently 10 points behind leaders Chelsea, but Manninger believes it is still possible to lift the crown in May, citing an example of a turnaround during his time at Arsenal.

"James Milner and Adam Lallana were asked by one of the press team because Chelsea are 10 points in front of us," Manninger added.

"I said I know one club. At Arsenal in 1997-98 we caught Manchester United [who had led by 12 points at the end of February].

"It is possible. That is all I said. It is possible."