Alex Manninger has jumped to the defence of Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius.

Manninger, the Reds' third-choice, thinks it is difficult to attract the best goalkeepers, as Manchester United and Chelsea already have them.

“I have been here for five months and have found out that the goalie thing is a bit Liverpool-specific," Manninger told The Times.

“I can say this because it is not going against people, but the unfortunate thing for Loris is that he didn't have a pre-season [due to injury]. He didn't train the way he wanted to do, to get a rhythm, a flow.

“He got thrown in by the coach, which is his decision, and unfortunately he couldn't take his chance. But he is not a bad goalkeeper because of this.

“I knew him from Germany [Karius was signed from Mainz] and when Liverpool signed him I thought, 'Well done.' I know many other clubs wanted him. To get a young, complete goalkeeper is not easy.

“There are not many around and many are taken by clubs already — [Thibaut] Courtois [Chelsea], [David] De Gea [Manchester United], [Kasper] Schmeichel [Leicester City]. It is difficult to get them in their early 20s or you pay silly money."