MARIBOR, SLOVENIA - Tuesday, October 17, 2017: Liverpool's goalkeeper Loris Karius before the UEFA Champions League Group E match between NK Maribor and Liverpool at the Stadion Ljudski vrt. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Loris Karius to start against Everton, Jurgen Klopp “desperate” to work on Danny Ward’s potential

Jurgen Klopp has declared that Loris Karius will start for Liverpool against Everton on Friday, with Danny Ward as sub goalkeeper.

While the Reds boss stopped short of giving out full details of his starting lineup, he was directly quizzed regarding his recent goalkeeper rotation.

Simon Mignolet has been the No. 1 in Premier League matches most of the season, with Karius playing the Champions League and Ward featuring just once in the League Cup.

But it was Karius who played in the win over Leicester, before Mignolet regained the spot most recently against Burnley.

That switching is set to continue, with Klopp confirming his compatriot will be between the sticks once more.

“Loris will start,” Klopp said in his press conference.

“I have to speak with [goalkeeper coach] John [Achterberg] but I think Danny will be on the bench. So a rest for Simon.”

With Ward playing just once so far this season, talk of a loan move for him to get game time has surfaced recently.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 19, 2017: Liverpool's goalkeeper Danny Ward during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Leicester City and Liverpool at the King Power Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

It’s an option for Liverpool, and it could yet happen, but Klopp is adamant it will only be the case if it’s right for the club, given they could still be fighting on three fronts in the final four months of the season.

“Danny is young, a very skilled goalkeeper with potential, space for improvement.

“We are quite desperate to work on that together with him, but we have to see.

“With requests for loans from other clubs, it’s like the end of the season! But it’s a long season, with a lot of games to come still.

“There’s enough for all the boys so no rush for that and we cannot help other clubs before we think of ourselves.”

Friday’s game will be Karius’ 10th appearance of the season in all competitions, having kept five clean sheets so far.

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