Liverpool preseason/July squad rankings: Who’s king?

11. Loris Karius

Broken hands suck. It sucks even worse that it came for Karius from punching Dejan Lovren in the face while trying to slap away a set-piece.

Lovren facial bones absorbed the blow well enough to protect his brain from being concussed, but they did such a great defensive job that it broke Karius’ hand.

Prior to that, Karius looked largely fantastic. He was absolutely set to be Liverpool’s number one, finally pushing Simon Mignolet to the background for good and away from our consciousness, but like mold, now Mignolet will stick out in that lime green keeper kit as an undesirable.

This will be Karius’ last time being included in the squad rankings until his broken hand (and my broken heart) heals. But for now, he’s to be rewarded for how well he’d made first impressions at the club.

Karius will be back. Barring Gigi Buffon shifting bodies to take the form of Mignolet, he should come straight back into the team. But these things are tricky when injuries lead to opportunities. Maybe Mignolet grabs it with both hands and holds it.

Wait, who are we kidding, we think the same thing every time a hopeful, lackluster cross is floated into his six yard box and he flaps and misses.

Next: 10. Nathaniel Clyne