Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius says he will always train with the same intensity, regardless of whether or not he knows he is starting a game.
The 22-year-old is expected to keep his place for the visit of Man United on Monday, despite what was seen as a shaky performance in the 2-1 win at Swansea City.
He looked susceptible from crosses, while his decision-making was nervy – perhaps understandable considering it was his first away start in the Premier League.
Karius has played down the importance of knowing if he’s in the team or not, saying it has no impact on his work-rate leading up to a game.
“Sometimes you know [if you are starting] earlier, sometimes you don’t,” he said.
“Most of the players don’t know the day before, but it’s not really a problem,” Karius told Premier League Productions this week.
“You prepare for the game anyway so it doesn’t really make a difference if you know a month before, a week before, a day before, because it won’t really change anything in your training.”
Simon Mignolet has also been speaking before Monday’s much-anticipated showdown.
The Belgian has lost his place to Karius in recent weeks, but says his focus is very much on winning it back for the United match.
“I didn’t play the last two weeks and I don’t want it to be any longer,” he said.
“I look at it positively. I hope to play against United. I still feel confident because of my good league start. Against Arsenal, Tottenham and Leicester I have been important for the team by making some good saves.
“I have the advantage that the game against United is only Monday so I can have a full preparation.
“I don’t know what the coach will decide. I can just prepare myself 100%. Whether I play or not, nothing will change my match preparation. It is not in my character to not give 100%.”
Karius looked ahead to Monday’s game, admitting it will be a tough 90 minutes but one the players are excited about.
“It will be a big game; I think it will be a close game,” he said.
“Man Utd has a good, strong team but we have a great team and we play at home. We have respect for them but we’re not scared of them and we know we want to win the game.
“We’ll have a good plan – or more than one plan – so we will be well prepared. Monday night at Anfield, the fans will be behind us, so I think everyone’s looking forward to it.”
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