By support

5th Dec, 2016 | 2:51pm

How Loris Karius compares to top-four rivals after Liverpool meltdown

By Emma Sanders

Following Loris Karius’ nervy performance against Bournemouth, Football Insider compares the Liverpool keeper to the other shot-stoppers in the Premier League’s top four.

Since joining for £4.7 million in the summer, Karius has made nine league appearances and has been given the nod ahead of Simon Mignolet as the Reds’ new keeper.

However, he has not made much of an impression and hasn’t looked to be any more of an improvement over their former number one. Karius was heavily criticised for spilling a shot in stoppage time, which led to Nathan Ake’s winner, in Liverpool’s remarkable 4-3 defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday.

According to Squawka, the Liverpool keeper averages a distribution success rate of just 68 per cent and that was believed to be his main strength.

He’s claimed just 72 per cent of crosses and Liverpool have looked extremely poor when defending set-pieces this season with him in between the sticks.

Thibaut Cortois, Petr Cech and Claudio Bravo have all been much more successful when defending crosses and Manchester City’s new signing is yet to spill a cross.

Cortois has made an incredible seven clean sheets this season so it’s no surprise Chelsea are top of the Premier League table as Karius has produced considerably less saves than the other shot-stoppers.

It’s obvious the Liverpool keeper is less effective during set-pieces, claiming less high balls than any other keeper in the top four.

It’s crucial Karius’ form improves if Liverpool’s defence hopes to keep up with the elite teams in the league.

In other Liverpool news, Mario Balotelli was given a shocking bonus for this reason.