Jurgen Klopp has thanked Liverpool fans for the support shown to Loris Karius.
Karius has endured a difficult couple of months after his two costly mistakes in the Champions League final.
Liverpool have since signed Alisson for a world-record fee for a goalkeeper, thereby demoting the German.
But fans greeted Karius with rapturous applause when he took to the field for Tuesday’s friendly win over Torino at Anfield.
“It helps everybody,” Klopp said of the warm reception. “I haven’t spoken to him because I was immediately in the signing session, if you want.
“I was not surprised, to be honest, but as a human being I was hoping for it, that it would be like this. I loved it, to be honest.
“Is it possible being different in a really hard world? Yes, I think it is possible. We showed tonight a really nice face and I liked it.
“It helps not only Loris, it helps Alisson as well, that you can see this is a very special place. It was a really big gesture.”
Loris Karius may be fearing for his long-term future at Liverpool, but the Reds faithful are 100 per cent behind their goalkeeper. World record-signing Alisson will take over Karius’ starting spot this season after a 2017/18 campaign strewn with high-profile errors from the German.
Liverpool played their final pre-season game of the summer against Torino on Tuesday night in what was Anfield’s first chance to see their new signings up close. Alisson started in goal, but Karius was called upon from the bench in the second half after 72 minutes.
Anfield gave Alisson a brilliant farewell, but the reception went up a level when Karius entered the fray. Karius carried his poor form into pre-season, with Liverpool fans calling out for a replacement after mistakes in friendlies against Tranmere and Borussia Dortmund. The stopper is reportedly considering his future at the club and could be a late departure.
The English transfer window closes on Thursday, but Karius can still be offloaded after that date with foreign clubs still able to buy and sell players.
Alisson showed his class in recent weeks when he opted against taking the No.1 jersey from Karius, instead grasping the No.13 shirt. The Brazilian conceded his first goal in an Red jersey when Andrea Belotti pulled one back for Torino in the first half at Anfield.
Roberto Firmino and Georginio Wijnaldum put Liverpool 2-0 ahead before Belotti’s header before Daniel Sturridge scored a late third for the Reds. Sturridge headed in from close range after a delightful cross from summer signing Xherdan Shaqiri. Liverpool kick off their Premier League season against West Ham at Anfield on Sunday.
Karius has suffered a torrid time since his mistakes in the defeat to Real Madrid in Kiev in May.However, when Liverpool released their official squad photos on Monday and Karius shared his own shot via his social media account – the hashtag was missing.
The absence of the German’s #LK1 on his tweet prompted speculation about whether he lost the no.1 jersey.
Alisson wore the no.13 provisionally in the 5-0 win over Napoli – and fans still await official confirmation of the players’ numbers but with the hashtag back once again on Karius’ social media it could be the biggest indication yet of what jersey he will wear this season.But the German previously confirmed he would have to consider his own position at Anfield following Alisson’s arrival, while fellow goalkeeper Simon Mignolet is also set to leave Liverpool having lost his own starting role last year.