Massachusetts General Hospital have confirmed that Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius suffered a concussion during his side’s Champions League final loss to Real Madrid last month.
Karius made two vital errors in the second-half of the match that ultimately cost Liverpool their shot at a sixth European title.
Karius apologised profusely in the wake of the defeat but it has since been confirmed by Dr. Ross Zafonte and Dr. Lenore Herget of Massachusetts General that the 24-year-old had suffered a concussion and that visual spatial dysfunction existed for him on the night.
A Mass General statement reads:
“On May 31, 2018 Mr. Karius underwent a comprehensive examination by Dr. Ross Zafonte and Dr. Lenore Herget in Boston at Massachusetts General Hospital and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.
“After carefully reviewing game film and integrating a detailed history – including his reported present and immediate post-contact subjective symptoms – physical examination and objective metrics, we have concluded that Mr. Karius sustained a concussion during the match May 26, 2018.
“At the time of our evaluation, Mr. Karius’s principal residual symptoms and objective signs suggested that visual spatial dysfunction existed and likely occurred immediately following the event. Additional symptomatic and objectively noted areas of dysfunction also persisted. It could be possible that such deficits would affect performance.
“We also note that Mr. Karius has reported significant and steady improvement since the concussive event, and we expect him to make a full recovery based on the results of the examination. We expect that with treatment and by following prescribed activity protocols he will continue to improve. We have encouraged vigilance and an emphasis on safety in his eventual return to full activity.
“This is the only comment we will be making in relation to this matter. All future media inquiries should be directed to the Liverpool FC Press Office.”
