Liverpool: Loris Karius reveals reason behind Anfield switch

Loris Karius has revealed that the opportunity to work with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was too good to pass up as he outlined his ambitions for next season in the Premier League.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper signed with the Reds for a fee of £4.7m ($6.8m) on a five-year contract, and has been given the number one jersey by Klopp.

The former Germany Under-21 international told Sport Bild that he backed himself to hold down a first-team spot at Anfield next season at the expense of Simon Mignolet.

"Competition is just part of a big club like this," he said. "I want to become the number one, have success with Liverpool and play in Europe as soon as possible. Those are my goals.

"[Klopp] was a big factor [in the decision to move] because he is one of the best coaches in the world and has a track record of developing young players," Karius continued.

"The tradition of the club and the atmosphere in that part of the world is not a common thing. All in all, it was the perfect total package.

Busy transfer window

Karius, a former youth team player at Manchester City, kept nine clean sheets in 34 league games for Mainz in the Bundesliga last season.

He added: "The day before I signed the [Liverpool] contract I was shown around the club and its surroundings, I was immediately convinced that this would be the right and the next important step in my career."

Liverpool finished a disappointing eighth in the 2015/16 Premier League season, but were losing finalists in both the League Cup and the Europa League.

The Reds have been linked with summer moves for a number of players across Europe – including high-profile names such as Bayern Munich forward Mario Gotze – as Klopp sets about imprinting his own image on the squad he inherited from Brendan Rodgers.

However, the Merseyside club are likely to be hampered in their transfer activity by their inability to offer Champions League football to potential recruits.