Football
Glenn Price, Liverpool correspondent 8y

Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius to miss start of season - source

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Liverpool have been dealt a huge blow as goalkeeper Loris Karius is set to miss the start of the season through injury, a club source has told ESPN FC.

The 23-year-old German is returning home from the club's United States preseason tour after breaking his hand in the Reds' 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday night after colliding with teammate Dejan Lovren.

The custodian came out to deal with a cross just before the hour mark, but accidentally struck the defender in the process. Karius completed the game despite the injury.

The £4.7 million summer signing from Mainz is expected to be out of action for 8-10 weeks, which means he might have to wait until October to make his Liverpool debut.

It is devastating news for the player and manager Jurgen Klopp, who had brought Karius in from the Bundesliga to compete with Simon Mignolet for the starting spot in Liverpool's goal.

Karius recently revealed he had turned down a opportunity to feature at the Rio Olympics as he wanted to establish himself as the Reds' No. 1 and felt missing part of the preseason would hamper his chances.

Liverpool also signed veteran keeper Alex Manninger earlier this month. The 39-year-old joined on a free transfer from Augsburg and is expected to be third choice.

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