You'll have plenty to celebrate when you subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Liverpool are increasingly hopeful new signing Loris Karius will be available for the start of the new Premier League season.

The German goalkeeper, who joined the Reds in a £4.7million deal from Mainz this summer, had been expected to represent his country at the Rio Olympics.

That tournament takes place from August 3 to August 20 and Karius’s inclusion would have meant he missed a sizeable chunk of Liverpool’s pre-season as well as the opening league matches against Arsenal and Burnley.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

Germany have yet to finalise their squad for what is an under-23s event with each nation allowed to include three over-age players.

However, the Reds no longer expect Karius to be called up for the trip to Brazil.

Germany aren’t short of goalkeeping options with FC Koln’s Timo Horn, Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Bayer Leverkusen’s Bernd Leno and Freiburg’s Alexander Schwolow also under consideration.

Karius was signed by manager Jurgen Klopp to compete with Simon Mignolet for the keeper’s jersey.

Pre-season will be a crucial time for the former Manchester City youngster as he looks to settle in quickly and prove he deserves a starting spot. Heading to the Olympics would have left him playing catch-up on his return.

Karius’ availability will be welcome boost for Klopp, who already has a host of players returning late for pre-season following international commitments.

Liverpool have announced they will travel to Germany to face Karius’ former club Mainz in a friendly at the Opel Arena on Sunday, August 7.

The ECHO understands the game isn’t linked to the deal to sign the keeper.

Liverpool were looking for a European fixture to complete their preparations for the new season and facing the Bundesliga outfit, who Klopp himself served with distinction for nearly two decades, fitted the bill.