Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius has claimed that competing with Simon Mignolet for the number one jersey is "not easy".

The German arrived at Anfield in May 2016 and was initially named first choice in between the Reds sticks by manager Jurgen Klopp.

After some below-par performances, however, Karius found himself battling with Mignolet for the starting berth.

While the 24-year-old is currently first choice again, he admits that having to compete against his teammate is difficult.

"It wasn't easy," Karius told Sky Sports News ahead of Liverpool's trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

"I knew after the first season where I had an injury, then went back in and played a few games, went back out and then Simon did well and the team qualified for the Champions League, I knew there was a possibility that in the beginning [of the next season], he would start again in the league.

"I just worked hard in training and then the games I had, I tried my best because you can only look at yourself and try to perform well. It's not easy for a goalkeeper to come in and out, but that was the situation and you have to take it as it is really.

"It is difficult to say what changed about yourself but I feel good, I've been playing quite well so I want to keep it up and do even better. I know I can improve on pretty much everything, I'm 24 now so there is a lot of space for improvement.

"But the life of a goalkeeper is that you always get criticised when you have a bad day so you just have to get used to it and of course, at a club like this, it was more than I was used to so maybe that was the biggest thing."

Karius has made 21 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions this season, keeping 11 clean sheets.