JONNY SMITH helped heap more pressure on Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius on his first run out for Tranmere Rovers.

The former Wrexham youngster joined League Two Rovers on a season long loan from Bristol City and was thrust into action against Jurgen Klopp's Reds, who won 3-2.

Karius' handling was back in the spotlight at Prenton Park as he spilled a free-kick which Smith reacted quickest to, the left winger tucking home the loose ball.

The German was at fault for two of Real Madrid's three goals in May's Champions League final defeat - after which it was revealed he was suffering from concussion - and Klopp knows the focus will continue to be on the 25-year-old.

"Yeah, it will probably happen for a while until he has a few fantastic games, that is how the situation is," said the manager.

"We cannot change that. Our job is to perform and you do what you do and that is part of the deal.

"You (the media) can all stop it immediately - promise? You never ask again, that would be one little step.

"It is obvious, we don't have to hide it. Yes he could have made that save even though the shot was not easy to deal with.

"I've seen this situation 500 times at least in my life - 'Bam', against the chest, (ball) going down.

"Now Loris concedes that goal but we cannot start the story always after each mistake. Mistakes will happen.

"I don't like it, you don't like it, he doesn't like it, but they do happen. So let's carry on and make the best of all these situations to learn from it.

"No-one likes that goal but if we talk about the second goal I think it was Millie's (James Milner's) fault together with (Pedro) Chirvella.

"Two brilliant footballers make this mistake, which one was the bigger? I would say the second one but we don't talk about that."

Smith, meanwhile, will be looking to build on a fantastic loan spell with AFC Fylde last season, during which he scored 10 times in 47 outings and won the club's player of the year award.

On signing the 20-year-old, Rovers boss Micky Mellon said: “I’m delighted to bring Jonny in.

“He’s a local lad who had a really good season in the National League in 2017/18 and now this is a chance for him to play a level up.

“He’ll bring competition for places on the wings and add to our attacking options.

“I’d like to thank Lee Johnson and Bristol City for allowing Jonny to come to us and hopefully we’ll help in his development as a player.”