LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 24, 2024: Newcastle United's goalkeeper Loris Karius during the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 24, 2024: Newcastle United's goalkeeper Loris Karius during the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Loris Karius has admitted he considered retiring in the aftermath of the 2018 Champions League final, with the goalkeeper crashing to “rock bottom.”
The former Liverpool goalkeeper has spoken openly about his struggles post-2018, with his career only getting back on track in 2025.
His errors against Real Madrid set his career off on an unplanned trajectory, with Liverpool replacing him with Alisson before he went on two successive loan spells.
“Up until that point, my career had been on a steep upward trajectory, then I suddenly crashed – all the way to rock bottom,” Karius reflected in an interview with Welt.
“It was extremely tough, also because, at the time in my mid-twenties, I wasn’t as settled as I am now.
“And quite honestly: during that period, I lost my love for football. I no longer wanted to train, no longer wanted to play.”
KIEV, UKRAINE - Saturday, May 26, 2018: Liverpool's goalkeeper Loris Karius looks dejected after gifting Real Madrid the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League Final match between Real Madrid CF and Liverpool FC at the NSC Olimpiyskiy. (Pic by Peter Powell/Propaganda)
KIEV, UKRAINE - Saturday, May 26, 2018: Liverpool's goalkeeper Loris Karius looks dejected after gifting Real Madrid the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League Final match between Real Madrid CF and Liverpool FC at the NSC Olimpiyskiy. (Pic by Peter Powell/Propaganda)
He added: “Even today, I don’t know what I should have done differently. I just felt empty. I even considered ending my career, but I was only 25 years old and couldn’t just stay home.
“During that period, I felt like nobody understood me.”
Five days after the final in Kyiv, Karius was diagnosed with a concussion before his first mistake in the match, but unfortunately for him, the damage was done.
He did not play another match for Liverpool, and after bidding a permanent farewell in 2021, he was left without a club for more than a year before he signed for Newcastle.
Loris Karius’ revival in Germany
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 24, 2024: Newcastle United's goalkeeper Loris Karius during the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 24, 2024: Newcastle United's goalkeeper Loris Karius during the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
His long-awaited competitive return came during the brief stint on Tyneside, but his career wasn’t resurrected until he signed for 2. Bundesliga side Schalke in January 2025.
“Over the years, I somehow managed to fight my way out of that slump on my own,” Karius explained.
The now 33-year-old has since played 35 times for the German side and helped the team earn promotion as league winners, earning a contract extension until 2028.
He is expected to remain Schalke’s No. 1 on their Bundesliga return, and earned praise from their sporting director, Youri Mulder, after he signed a new deal last month.
“With his consistently strong performances, Loris has made a significant contribution to our success as a reliable pillar of the team,” Mulder said. “The squad can count on him.”
It is heartwarming to see Karius has found his way back to regular, consistent football, where he is relied on and can make a difference. Eight years after the final in Kyiv, he deserves it.
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