Loris Karius made two horrendous errors in the Champions League final on Saturday night.
The Liverpool goalkeeper conceded two of the worst goals you’re ever likely to see in top level football. In the biggest game he’ll ever play in, the German goalkeeper gifted Real Madrid their opening goal of the night, the final goal and helped the Spanish side to their fourth Champions League title in five years.
Karius attempted to roll the ball out, but threw it straight into Karim Benzema’s outstretched leg to concede one of the most bizarre goals of the season. He could do little about Gareth Bale’s amazing overhead kick, but then gifted Bale his second of the night with another howler, after he let the forward’s shot from distance slip through his hands.
After the match, Karius was understandably devastated and sat on the pitch looking very distressed. Yet, none of his Liverpool teammates came to console him, and it was instead left to some Madrid players to try to comfort him after his horror-show performance.
Liverpool players were crushed after the defeat, so it’s possible they wanted to be left with their own thoughts to try to process the loss, rather than run straight to the goalkeeper.
However, it was notable that even Liverpool’s substitutes didn’t make their way over to Karius, suggesting they weren’t ready to forgive him for his extremely costly errors.
It’s difficult not to feel some sympathy for the goalkeeper, and a lot of the blame must go to his manager for persisting with Karius when it was patently obvious he is not of the standard required at the top level of the sport.
Liverpool broke the transfer record for a defender in January and should do the same for a goalkeeper this summer.
karius being consoled by madrid players. LFC ones… leaving him be for now pic.twitter.com/hU5at7IyjO
— Ken Early (@kenearlys) May 26, 2018
