Having cut his teeth with a successful loan spell with Huddersfield Town last season, Danny Ward is now aiming to become Liverpool’s No. 1 goalkeeper.
Ward played an integral role in David Wagner’s Terriers securing promotion from the Championship, saving a penalty to help his loan side to a shootout win in the play-off final.
While Huddersfield were eager to sign the 24-year-old on a permanent deal this summer, Ward has instead returned to Liverpool.
Included in Jurgen Klopp‘s squad for the Reds’ tour of Hong Kong this week, the Wales international is hoping to compete with Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius for the starting role.
However, Ward also stressed that the main focus is providing Klopp with “the best goalkeeper that we can potentially give.”
“The more ‘keepers we have got with quality, the better,” he told LiverpoolFC.com.
“The manager has talked about us having competition between us, which can only be healthy for the squad in general.
“That’s our aim every day—to push each other as far as we can because we want Liverpool to have the best goalkeeper that we can potentially give them.
“The manager knows the three boys are more than capable. It’s a fight for the No.1 [spot], but we’ll be helping each other along the way.”
Ward’s season at the John Smith’s Stadium was arguably the most productive loan of any Liverpool player in 2016/17, making 46 starts for Huddersfield.
While these were in England’s second tier, Ward’s time working under Wagner will prove invaluable, and he clearly gained a lot from his spell away from Anfield.
“It was a crazy 12 months really, an unbelievable experience,” he explained.
“I went there to go and play some games, and obviously we had the fairytale ending, which was a fantastic experience that I’ll definitely never forget.
“It gives you that reassurance, playing on the big stages as well. The schedule of fixtures is a lot more hectic than it would be in the Premier League.
“Experience-wise, it was unbelievable. Hopefully that’ll hold me in good stead for what’s to come in the future.”
Ward didn’t feature in either of Liverpool’s pre-season friendlies so far, as he struggled with a minor injury, but is likely to take part in Hong Kong.
He certainly faces a fight to prove to Klopp that he is worthy of a starting role, with both Karius and Mignolet strong contenders.
But after his time at Huddersfield, Ward can head into the Reds’ summer friendlies confident of performing.
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