Klopp backing Socceroo Langerak "100%"

2 min read 9 December 2014

Jurgen Klopp says Socceroos shot-stopper Mitchell Langerak is stating his case to be Borussia Dortmund’s first-choice goal-keeper but denied the Aussie has replaced Roman Weidenfeller as his new No.1 at Borussia Dortmund.

Langerak, who has had to play second fiddle to Weidenfeller for much of his Dortmund career since joining the club in 2010, came into the starting side for the struggling side’s Bundesliga clash with Hoffenheim on the weekend.

The Socceroo gloveman performed superbly, keeping a clean sheet as Dortmund eased some relegation fears with a morale-boosting 1-0 win.

It’s led to suggestions Langerak has usurped Weidenfeller as the club’s No.1 ahead of this week’s UEFA Champions League clash with Anderlecht.

But Klopp denied suggestions he has told Weidenfeller as his first choice and says he will decide his ‘keeper on a game-by-game basis.

"If I had decided to let Mitchell play the rest of the season, I would have told Roman, but that's not the case," Klopp told ahead of Wednesday's (AEDT) UCL clash.

"It is always about the moment and not about previous achievements. [Saturday's] was a decision taken for that moment.

"I believe in Roman Weidenfeller 100 per cent, but in Mitchell, too. That's all.

"I won't say who will play against Anderlecht."

Langerak got his chance to start – only his 12th Bundesliga appearance in four years – due to the club’s run of results which had seen them lose eight of their first 14 league games prior to the Hoffenheim win.

The 26-year-old, who has five caps for the Socceroos, was included in Ange Postecoglou’s provisional 46-man squad for next month’s Asian Cup.

Socceroos' provisional squad for Asian Cup named