SIMON MIGNOLET HAS branded Liverpool’s decision to loan Loris Karius to Besiktas as “bizarre”, as the Belgium international claimed he is still unsure over his future at Anfield.
Karius, who has been replaced as Liverpool’s number one by Alisson Becker, completed a two-year loan switch to Turkish Super Lig side Besiktas on Saturday, with the Liverpool Echo reporting that Cork-born goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher could now become third choice at Anfield.
Mignolet spent much of last season playing second fiddle to the former Mainz goalkeeper, and has now seemingly criticised Liverpool’s decision to allow Karius to leave, insisting that he also had offers to move away.
“The transfer of Karius doesn’t change anything for me, I have always been clear: I want to play,” Mignolet told Het Laatste Nieuws.
“I find it bizarre that Karius was loaned while I also had options to be loaned. But for some reason that was not possible.
“A goalkeeper who was preferred to me last year may leave on a loan basis. Strange.”
Mignolet returned to Liverpool’s squad on Saturday, taking his place on the bench as Jurgen Klopp’s side ran out 1-0 winners over Brighton to move to the top of the Premier League.
“Being number two or number three makes little difference. Playing minutes is the most important thing,” he added.
“Nobody has said anything to me after the departure of Loris. So I don’t know what my future at Liverpool is. We will see what happens this week.”
Karius’ move away from Anfield could bode well for 19-year-old Kelleher, who warmed up alongside Mignolet and Alisson during yesterday’s 1-0 win at home to Brighton.
The former Ringmahon Rangers shot-stopper featured during the Reds’ pre-season tour of the United States, lining out in friendlies against both Manchester City and Manchester United.
Liverpool boss Klopp described the goalkeeper as an “outstanding talent” during Liverpool’s visit to Dublin earlier this month.
“He was an outfield player in his youth, (and) he obviously must have been a very good outfield player, as well as a goalkeeper,” the manager said.
“He has fantastic reactions. If nothing serious happens, he has a really fantastic future.
“I don’t know how many really good goalkeepers Ireland have, but one more is never a big mistake. I like him a lot and I’m happy that we have him in our squad.”
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