Former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius has finally broken his silence on the nightmare fallout following his costly mistakes in the Anfield club’s 3-1 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid in Kyiv.
The 33-year-old first gave the ball to Madrid striker Karim Benzema with a wayward pass, with the Frenchman slotting into an empty net. Later, he flapped at a Gareth Bale strike, handing victory to the Spaniards.
That disastrous performance spelt the end of his Liverpool career and has followed him for the subsequent years of his career. But last season the German redeemed himself at current club Schalke, helping seal the club’s return to the top-flight – keeping 13 clean sheets in Bundesliga two conceding only 24 goals in 30 matches.
Now, he has publicly spoken about ‘hitting rock bottom’ after that dreadful night in Kyiv had on his mental health and his career. Speaking to the Funke Media Group, Karius said: “Up until that point, my career had been on a steep upward trajectory, then I suddenly crashed – all the way to rock bottom.”
“It was extremely tough, partly because, in my mid-twenties at the time, I wasn’t as grounded as I am now. And quite honestly, during that period I lost my love for football. I no longer wanted to train, I no longer wanted to play.
“At times, I struggled to go into work and just tried to get through the day in a somewhat normal way.”
Loris Karius has opened up on his nightmare performance in the 2018 Champions League final
Karius ‘hit rock bottom’ after his display in Kyiv but has bounced back in style with Schalke
The German’s wife, Diletta Leotta, praised her husband’s mental fortitude earlier this year
Karius’ revelation offered a glimpse into the mental turmoil that can trouble footballers. Following his Liverpool exit, the 33-year-old struggled at Union Berlin and Newcastle before finding a home in Schalke. Karius reflected that perspective on his achievements thus far have helped him appreciate his position as a top-level footballer.
“Who else can say they play in front of 60,000 fans every other week? Only absolute superstars in the music industry can achieve that – you have to keep reminding yourself of that.”
Karius’ sobering account of his troubling experience follows comments made by his wife, DAZN TV presenter Diletta Leotta, praising her husband’s determination and resilience.
She took to Instagram following Schalke’s promotion, writing: is sport can be tough, sometimes ruthless. [It] exposes you, tests you, makes you fall in front of everyone.
‘But if you find the strength to stay, to believe again, sooner or later it brings you back exactly where you deserve to be.
‘I have seen that strength up close. In the silences, in the difficult moments, on the days when it would have been easier to give up.
‘And today it’s not just a victory. It’s a revival. It’s love for what you do. That’s courage. Proud of you.’
