Stan Collymore claims senior pair are not Liverpool standard
By Dominic Toner
Stan Collymore believes that Liverpool goalkeepers Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius are not up to the club’s standard.
The Reds slumped to a shock 2-0 away defeat against Hull on Saturday and their goalkeeper was once again the spotlight.
Current number one Mignolet dropped the ball straight into the path of Alfred N’Diaye to open the scoring, while Oumar Niasse secured the victory late on for the relegation candidates.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have seen their slim hopes of the title fade further away as they are now 13 points behind runaway leaders and will finish the weekend outside the top four, if Manchester City avoid defeat against Swansea on Sunday.
Collymore identified the major problem area for the Merseyside club and feels neither of their goalkeeper options are good enough.
“Proof to me why Liverpool were again found wanting on set pieces at Hull for the Tigers’ first goal was the role of Simon Mignolet,” Collymore wrote in his BoyleSports column. “I want him to do well and want Karius to do well, but can we be truthful rather than hopeful for a second?
“Neither are Liverpool standard and neither give me confidence like a De Gea or even a Kasper Schmeichel from last season. Liverpool haven’t had a good steady keeper since Reina and even he had his doubters at times.”
Klopp has had difficulties this season selecting a first-choice shot stopper and has rotated between the pair.
Mignolet delivered a poor performance in the defeat to Hull and has come under strong criticism for his mistake.
The 28-year-old has been unable to assure people of his position since his arrival in 2013 from Sunderland and has made a number of high-profile errors during his Anfield stay.
Karius was purchased in the summer by Klopp to challenge for the number one position, but the 23-year-old has struggled to adjust to England’s top-flight.
In other Liverpool news, a club’s senior man is set to quit in the next few weeks.
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