Jurgen Klopp is still refusing to panic in the transfer market – and that will now see him offer Danny Ward the keys to the Anfield kingdom.

The Liverpool manager is ready to offer his Wales international keeper, who was third choice at the club last season and played just one game, the chance to stake a serious claim for the number one spot at the club.

Klopp, has been impressed by the increased maturity Ward has shown since arriving back for pre-season training, and with his condition from day one at Melwood.

That contrasts with last summer when the keeper was deemed to have come back from a successful loan spell with Huddersfield not in peak condition.

(Image: Liverpool FC)

(Image: Getty)

This time around, the Reds boss believes his 25 year old keeper, who has four Welsh caps, has been outstanding both in training and in the two warm up matches the club has played.

And that will prompt Klopp to seriously consider offering Ward the chance to make the number one jersey his own at the club, with such serious doubts surrounding the position of Loris Karius.

Klopp, in fact, has ruled out a move in the summer transfer window for a replacement goalkeeper, despite widespread reports in the Italian media that Liverpool are about to bid for Roma's £65m-rated Alisson.

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Sources close to the manager say that not only has there NOT been a bid, but there has been no contact with either the Serie A club or the player himself...and there are absolutely no plans at this stage to enter the race.

Instead, Ward will now be given time and space in pre-season to make the jersey his own. The German coach has always admired his keeper's skills, which is why he loaned him to close friend and Huddersfield boss David Wagner.

But there have been doubts about the Welshman's attitude, which have been erased during an intense pre-season, with Ward showing the best condition of his career.

(Image: REX/Shutterstock)

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

Most importantly, he is showing impressive form in training and games, which will ease the pressure on the Reds with Karius struggling so badly after his Champions' League final meltdown.

The German keeper looked nervous in his first game since the defeat by Real Madrid, with a shaky display at Chester, and then a howler at Tranmere which cost his side a goal.

Fans were despairing at a club video interview taking place at the side of the pitch at Chester, which showed him making an embarrassing mistake in the background, as he warmed up for the game.

Klopp has been adamant he won't panic and spend big money on a keeper he doesn't rate above those he already has. Alisson looks likely to go to Real Madrid, and Liverpool don't want to become involved in any auction with Roma.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

With Karius looking untenable as the Reds number one at the start of the season, Ward could provide a viable alternative, and breathing space as the manager practices patience in waiting to get a keeper he really wants.

He did that last season with Virgil van Dijk, and would be prepared to wait again if the right target is not available at the right price.

Interestingly, it could offer a route back for Simon Mignolet, who has been Belgium's number two keeper at the World Cup.

(Image: AFP)

He was expected to leave this summer, but with Karius out of the picture and Ward inexperienced at Premier League level, he may choose to stay to see if a route back into the first team opens up.

Liverpool meanwhile are closing in on a £13.5m deal for Xherdan Shaqiri, with talks progressing as Stoke accept the winger can leave under a release clause in his contract following their relegation, and a deal likely within the next few days.