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Loris Karius’ grip on the Liverpool No 1 spot has been strengthened.

Two months after the German keeper leapfrogged Simon Mignolet in the pecking order, the 24-year-old is enjoying the best spell of his Anfield career.

Jurgen Klopp challenged Karius back in January to prove that Liverpool didn’t need to spend big on a new shot-stopper this summer and the response so far has been impressive.

It’s telling that Liverpool have made contact with the representatives of Alisson to inform them not to expect a bid for the Roma keeper. The Reds have been watching the Brazil international closely and rate him highly, but an asking price of around £80million - more than double the world record fee for a keeper - has put them off.

The form of Karius has also contributed to Liverpool cooling their interest and re-assessing their transfer plans. Klopp’s preference was always for Karius to prove he’s the long-term option between the posts and as it stands at the moment he’s in the box seat to continue in that role.

Liverpool have been linked with a £40million swoop for Stoke City’s Jack Butland but the ECHO understands they have no intention of pursuing a deal for the England international.

Whether they will be in the market for a keeper will also be influenced by the future of Mignolet, who is unlikely to stick around if he remains Karius’ understudy. Klopp also has Wales international Danny Ward desperate to step up and prove his worth after a frustrating campaign when he has only had one senior outing in the League Cup.

No decision will be taken until the end of the season and Karius needs to maintain his current high standards, but Klopp has been delighted by the manner in which the £4.7million signing from Mainz has grasped his opportunity.

Whereas last season a crisis of confidence led to him being dropped, this time around he has embraced the pressure and has looked so much more assured.

It was prior to the visit of Manchester City in mid-January that Klopp opted to axe Mignolet and guarantee Karius an extended run in the team.

He made an unconvincing start, beaten far too easily at his near post by Leroy Sane in that Anfield thriller, but since then he’s grown in stature.

The presence of Virgil van Dijk in front of him has certainly helped. So too has the knowledge that he was going to play every game and establish some rhythm.

The constant chopping and changing in the first half of the season with Mignolet playing in the Premier League and Karius playing in the Champions League suited neither of them.

“I’m feeling good, I’m feeling strong and getting consistent game-time helps a lot,” Karius told the ECHO recently.

“It definitely helps when you play regularly instead of coming in and out of the team. I enjoy every day of being here as it’s a great club.”

Karius has made some eye-catching contributions. He kept out Harry Kane’s penalty against Tottenham and then made two big saves from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and James Ward-Prowse in the win at Southampton.

Two ultimately routine home victories against West Ham and Newcastle could have been so different if he hadn’t tipped Marko Arnautovic’s effort on to the underside of the bar and clawed behind Mohamed Diame’s sweet strike. At Old Trafford last weekend he was helpless with the two goals but commanded his penalty box and kicked well. His decision making has certainly improved.

He has kept five clean sheets in his last eight matches. Deemed a liability during his debut season at Anfield, Karius is now a real asset and could well save Liverpool a fortune.