Mainz chief Rouven Schroder admits they couldn't stand in Loris Karius' way as he signed for Liverpool yesterday.

Karius, 22, joined the Reds for £4.7m on a five-year deal yesterday.

Schroder said: "It's very hard to keep someone away from the big clubs if they put in consistently good performances in the Bundesliga for a long period and combine it with a complete goalkeeping package and football skill set.

"We have done everything we can in the past few days to hold on to our number 1 but unfortunately we have to accept his decision.

"We fully understand that the draw of Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp is very strong.

"We wish Loris Karius all the best at Liverpool and in the future and would like to thank him for his four and a half years of great work between the sticks for Mainz."

Karius joined Mainz from Manchester City in 2012 and made 91 Bundesliga appearances.