Liverpool 4-0 Arsenal: 5 Talking Points

3. Is Loris Karius cut out for the big stage?

Loris Karius was handed a rare start today by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp

When the team sheets were announced for the match, what stood out for Liverpool was the fact that Jurgen Klopp had decided to rest his No.1 Simon Mignolet for the match, instead opting to start with young Loris Karius in goal.

It seemed an inspired decision by the Liverpool gaffer with the possibility of Liverpool displaying its riches even in the goalkeeping department.

However, it turned out to be a bit of a mixed afternoon for Karius. Arsenal took care that the German was eased into his first premier league match since December, 2016 by accumulating a grand total of zero shots on goal, i.e. zero shots to save for the Liverpool custodian.

With the ball at his feet though, Karius struggled. Danny Welbeck closed him down on multiple occasions and it seemed only a matter of time before one of those mistakes would cost Liverpool dearly but to Karius’s credit, in the later stages of the match, he finally seemed to have learnt his lesson and looked to cut short any dilly-dallying while having possession of the ball.

Whether he has the temperament to consistently succeed on the big stage is still to be seen and for Klopp to gauge but this performance today did leave a lot to be desired.