Former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius has detailed the profound mental and professional impact of his performance in the 2018 Champions League final against Real Madrid. Karius, 33, described the aftermath of the match as hitting "rock bottom," leading to a period where he nearly quit professional football.
During the final in Kyiv, Karius's errors proved costly. He made a wayward pass that directly led to Karim Benzema scoring the opening goal and later misjudged a shot from Gareth Bale, which sealed Liverpool's 3-1 defeat. These moments marked the effective end of his tenure with Liverpool and cast a long shadow over his subsequent career.
Speaking to Funke Media Group, Karius reflected on how the disastrous performance affected him. "Up until that point, my career had been on a steep upward trajectory, then I suddenly crashed – all the way to rock bottom,” he stated. He admitted that in his mid-twenties, he lacked the grounding to cope with the intense scrutiny, leading to a loss of enjoyment in the sport. "I no longer wanted to train, I no longer wanted to play," Karius revealed. "At times, I struggled to go into work and just tried to get through the day in a somewhat normal way."
Following his departure from Liverpool, Karius faced difficult spells at Union Berlin and Newcastle before finding a more stable period at Schalke. Last season, he helped Schalke secure a return to the top flight of German football, recording 13 clean sheets and conceding 24 goals in 30 matches in the second division.
Karius now emphasizes the importance of perspective in appreciating his career. He noted, "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."
His candid account follows similar sentiments expressed by his wife, DAZN TV presenter Diletta Leotta, who earlier this year praised his resilience. After Schalke's promotion, Leotta posted on Instagram, acknowledging the ruthless nature of sports but highlighting Karius's strength in overcoming adversity. "I have seen that strength up close," she wrote. "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."
