For Loris Karius, that dreaded night of the Champions League final in 2018, changed everything. It was the last time he played an official game for Liverpool.
Signed from Mainz in the summer of 2016, for a fee of £4.75 million, Karius was widely regarded as one of the best and upcoming goalkeepers in the Bundesliga.
Germany has a great repertoire of producing some of the best custodians in the world, add to that the immense knowledge of Bundesliga that Jurgen Klopp possesses – Liverpool fans were expecting great things from the 26-year-old.
The intriguing story of Loris Karius
Since joining Liverpool, Loris Karius never fully convinced anyone, in fact, he was blamed for the Reds’ loss in the Champions League final of 2018, having committed two major blunders to help Real Madrid’s cause.
Subsequently, the goalkeeper was ushered out to Turkish club Besiktas on loan just a few weeks later, as the Premier League side secured the signing of Alisson Becker from AS Roma.
Fast forward to the present and the German is back at Melwood, after terminating his loan contract with Besiktas.
The player, who still has two years remaining on his current deal, has been training with his colleagues for the past couple of weeks, and in a recent interview, Karius said he is still hopeful of getting opportunities next season.
“Of course, I have to be playing if I actually change clubs. It makes no sense to say I’m leaving Liverpool for a worse club and I’m only number two there. But I’m not in a pressure situation at all, I don’t have to change.”
“I can accelerate in training at Liverpool. As the second-choice goalkeeper in England, you know that you get your chances.”
Loris Karius
Does Karius still have a future at Liverpool?
In his absence, Alisson has usurped Karius as the undisputed number one at Anfield. Summer signing Adrian has been serving as the understudy to the Brazilian goalkeeper, with academy graduate Caoimhin Kelleher as the third choice.
At Besiktas, Karius played 67 matches across all competitions in two years, keeping 14 clean sheets in total. The German custodian fared reasonably well in his loan spell, but upon his return to Liverpool, he might have to wipe the slate clean and begin from zero again.
Given the fact that Adrian is already 33 and his contract will expire in 2021, Karius may have to fight with the Spaniard for serving as the backup to Alisson, who has been in the form of his life.
That nonetheless, doesn’t bother the former Mainz player much, as he remains positive on his future with the Reds.
“I want to stay healthy and play at a high level for as long as possible. Of course, as a footballer, I want to win one or two trophies. I want to get the best possible performance out of myself.
“It is the same with Liverpool, where I am the challenger. When I am asked, I am there to perform and help the team. No matter whether as No 1 or No 2, I will always do my best.”
Loris Karius
The verdict
Judging by his own words, It’s pretty obvious that Loris Karius is in no hurry to leave Liverpool at the moment. After two seasons away, he’s willing to fight for his place and seems to have acknowledged the fact that Alisson will be first-choice at Anfield.
In hindsight, it would be much better for Jurgen Klopp as a coach to have two young goalkeepers, in their prime, fighting it out for a place in the starting eleven, rather than having Adrian as the second-choice, because obviously, the Spaniard is not a long term option by any means.
All stats courtesy: Transfermarkt.co.in