Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has explained his reasons for signing Alex Manninger.
The veteran ex-Arsenal goalkeeper, 39, joined the Reds on a one-year deal after leaving Bundesliga side Augsburg to serve as the club’s third-choice goalkeeper this season.
With Adam Bogdan, Danny Ward and Ryan Fulton all out on loan deals, only Simon Mignolet and new recruit Loris Karius were available for Liverpool’s last line of defence.
And Klopp believes that Manninger’s wealth of experience made the deal a perfect solution.
He said: “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.”