Loris Karius was afforded every opportunity to shine at Liverpool but it is time to move on
Loris Karius spent just two years at Liverpool. His experiences at Anfield portrays the fickle nature of modern-day football where the perform of perish mantra holds true.
Having signed in the summer of 2016, he made just 16 starts in his first season. Following an impressive set of appearances, Jurgen Klopp openly proclaimed the former Mainz keeper as his number one.
In what would go on to become a regular occurrence, the German shot-stopper would go on to make a hash of the faith placed in him. Just a month after Klopp’s sweeping statement, Simon Mignolet was back in the line-up as Liverpool’s first choice.
Misplaced faith
Klopp openly backed the German to come good and even defended him by saying that he needs time to adapt. It cannot be said that the manager did not have the back of his under-fire keeper.
He would only go on to play for Liverpool in cup competitions again that season. In his 16 performances that year, he was at the losing end just four times, and also kept six clean sheets.
His performance against Southampton in the League Cup semifinals brought him goodwill. For close observers, it was clear that he lacked the mental strength to compete at the level expected.
Karius would go on to see more game time in his second season on Merseyside. He would go on to cement himself as the preferred keeper towards the second half of the season. The German-made 33 appearances and kept 15 clean sheets, but once again the stats glossed over what lay on the surface.
Stats have a way of oversimplifying things and take your attention off the issue at hand. For instance, Alisson Becker has made three errors in the Premier League that have led directly to a goal, whereas Karius made just two. This does not, however, suggest that the German is a better keeper.
Alisson has shown the ability to put his misjudgment behind him and reset his focus while with every mistake, Karius just fell deeper into the quagmire.
A ticking-time-bomb
Considering the errors Karius made in the Champions League, it took a mixture of luck and controversial match calls by officials to ensure Liverpool made it to the finals.
In the Champions League quarterfinals second-leg at the Etihad, Karius failed to clear a cross that was eventually turned in by Gabriel Jesus. That would have brought the aggregate score to 3-2 with Manchester City on the ascendency.
As it turned out, the goal was incorrectly chalked off for offside and Liverpool won the match 2-1. His mistake was once again covered up and the magnanimity of the win glossed over it.
It would be more or less the same in the semifinals. Karius almost fluffed a straightforward catch into his own goal in the first leg before getting away with a blatant foul on Edin Dzeko in the return leg at the Stadio Olimpico.
Once again, it was the referee who came to his rescue as the Bosnian striker was acknowledged to have been offside in an extremely tight call. The German was not done, as he parried an effort right into the path of Dzeko just minutes later, who promptly scored.
Down and out
Liverpool made it to the finals by the skin of their teeth, but the warning signs were already there. Much has been made of Liverpool’s porous defence leading up to the game. To their credit, the back four did an exemplary job of stifling the Real Madrid attack that night.
In a way, Karius’ errors that night could be attributed to the concussion he may or may not have had. But for fans who have watched the keeper’s antics before, it would have come as no surprise.
His ability to get knackered by an error was an issue that came to the fore as he looked short of confidence following Karim Benzema’s opener. Neither lady luck nor the linesman came to his rescue that night as his mistakes stood out on the grandest stage of them all.
If the final in Kyiv proved to be his nadir in a Liverpool shirt, the fragility of his mental state was made apparent for all to see two months later.
Playing against Tranmere Rovers in a pre-season friendly, he once again made an error that led to an opposition goal. Alarm signs were set off at Anfield and the decision was made to bring in a new keeper.
Klopp had initially planned to keep faith in Karius. But the more he played, the more it became clear that he was a constant reminder of past failures for a team that sought to look forward.
A repeat offender
Currently playing at Besiktas, he has failed to crown himself in glory. He continues to supplement spectacular performances with high-profile errors and looks the fragile player he was when he left.
Karius has been in touch with both Klopp and the Liverpool goalkeeping coaches. They may feel a sense of responsibility towards the player’s career. However, the fact remains that they have always done their best down the years.
With a return to Anfield mooted, it is time to take stock of the German’s situation. There is no doubt he will be received warmly by his teammates, but he will be a constant reminder of the loss in Kyiv. Liverpool have moved on but Karius seems to be still stuck in the horrors of that night.
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Verdict
To Liverpool, Karius is the ghost of Christmas past. He was afforded both support and opportunities to thrive. A decent player, he just wasn’t the right person for a side aiming to be at the top.
The adage, ‘you are only as strong as your weakest member’, comes to the fore. There is only so much you can do to defend a goalkeeper who once conceded a corner form his own goal-kick.
Liverpool have moved on. It is time Karius is made to as well. He might as well turn into a successful player for a mid-sized club. However, his lack of mental strength will always hold him back from turning into the player he promised to be.
