Klopp: Rule change led to Manninger signing

Sarah Winterburn

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp signed Premier League title winner Alex Manninger because he cannot recall on-loan goalkeepers from English clubs.

Klopp has sent Danny Ward to Huddersfield, Adam Bogdan to Wigan and Ryan Fulton to Chesterfield so was left with only Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius.

Manninger – who won the Premier League with Arsenal in 1997-98 – has signed on a free transfer from FC Augsburg.

Klopp told the official Liverpool website:

“Alex has played at a high level in his career in the top division in England, Germany, Spain, Italy and Austria for some very big teams – not many people can say that!

“He brings us great experience and I know that as a person he is someone who every day will show what a great professional he is and will be important for the squad.

“We have sent out some of the goalkeepers on loan and get games, which is important because in this position you only come off the bench if there is an injury or a red card.

“They changed the rules so we cannot bring an U21 goalkeeper back from a team in England during the season if we have a problem, so we had to make a decision – keep somebody back to protect us or bring in someone else who can give us experience and I think this is the best solution to allow others to develop.

“In this way, this is good for everyone and I am really happy that he comes into the group.”