Loris Karius choses Liverpool over Rio 2016 team
July 14, 2016
The goalkeeper, who signed from Mainz in May, made the decision after consulting with both Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp and Germany's Olympic team.
“It doesn't make sense for me to go to the Olympics as I would miss the first two league games of the season, and I want to play in them,” said the 23-year-old.
Despite previously saying that he wants to be Germany's number one goalkeeper, Karius said that his priorities lie with his new club, as “it's more important that I am available for the start of the new season.”
As for the competition with Belgium international Mignolet to be the club's first-choice keeper, Karius said he is “not scared of anything,” and added that this is what playing for a “bigger club” means.
Mignolet, 28, recently signed a contract extension with the club until 2021.
Germany will play in Group C of the Olympic football competition, a group which includes gold medallist Mexico, South Korea and Fiji.