Image Credits: Imago Images
A forgotten man in the unforgiving world of football, the former Liverpool goalkeeper is now being heavily praised in Germany.
It has been seven years since that fateful night in Kyiv, where a performance will be unfortunately remembered from Loris Krius for all the wrong reasons, as the German shot stopper was responsible for two of Real Madrid’s three goals as Liverpool slumped to a damaging Champions League final defeat.
A night that understandably rocked Karius to his core, and it has been a long road back for him to find a place in the world of football where he is adored again.
Two failed loan spells with Besiktas and Union Berlin brought and end to his time with Liverpool, before a two-year stint at Newcastle United led him to Schalke 04.
In Germany’s second division, Loris Karius is thriving.
The 32-year-old is one of the main reasons why Schalke are pushing for a return to the top of German football for the first time since 2023, when they were relegated from the Bundesliga for the second time in three seasons.
Last season, the seven-time German champions slumped to a 14th placed finish, conceding the most goals in the division.
Now, with Loris Karius firmly settled at the club after signing in January, Schalke now sit second in the table and boast the best defensive record in the league with seven goals conceded in twelve matches.
Karius has kept six clean sheets in those games too, more than the club kept throughout the entirety of last season.
The criticism and scrutiny Karius faced after that Champions League final with Liverpool was extreme, but now, he is being heaped with praise.
Speaking to Ran.de, Schalke legend Olaf Thon said: “He gives the team confidence, makes impossible saves and hardly makes any mistakes. He has experience and it shows.”
Loris Karius has been branded “the phoenix of football” for the way he appears to have been reborn from the ashes upon his return to Germany.
He is experiencing a significant career resurgence, and it is yet another example of just how much having confidence can change the fortunes of a player.
Speaking on his time at Schalke so far, Karius said: “I don’t usually pay much attention o statistics, but as a goalkeeper you always want to keep a clean sheet.”
“I’m playing well and I’m satisfied. I’m having ama amazing time. I go to training every day with a smile. I’m grateful to be able to experience this week after week, and it’s even more wonderful how things are going.”
The former Liverpool man also boats a league high 64% save rate and Schalke head coach Miron Muslic has expressed his adoration for his goalkeeper and how it has been testing times for him.
Earlier this year, speaking to Marca, he said: “We are very happy to have placed our trust in him four months ago, at a time where there wasn’t much confidence. He has more than repaid us.”
Loris Karius officially has his mojo back, and long may it continue.
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