Loris Karius has revealed that he has withdrawn from the Olympics in order to start Liverpool’s season.
Karius arrived from Mainz in June and is preparing to vie for the Reds’ first-choice goalkeeper alongside Simon Mignolet.
But the 23-year-old was widely expected to miss the opening two fixtures of the new Premier League campaign with an expected call-up to Germany’s squad for the Olympics.
However, following talks with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and his national side, Karius has confirmed that he will be in contention for the games against Arsenal and Burnley.
He said: “I spoke with the manager and we said that it doesn’t make sense for me to go to the Olympics.
“I would miss the first two league games of the season and of course I want to play in them.
“We agreed together I wouldn’t be going [to Rio].
“First I spoke with Jurgen and then together we spoke with the German people who wanted me to go.
“The priority is the club. It’s more important that I am available for the start of the season.”
Also missing this summer’s event in Rio de Janeiro for Liverpool will be Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino after they were omitted from Brazil’s squad for the games.