This Former Liverpool Villain is Saving His Career In Some Fashion

Karius to Victory

Remember Loris Karius? Of course you do, especially if you are a Liverpool fan.

The German goalkeeper was between the posts for the Reds' ill-fated Champions League final against Real Madrid back in 2018, making two brutal errors in the game to be found directly responsible for Los Blancos' first and third goals of a 3-1 loss for Liverpool.

Loris Karius is the highest-rated goalkeeper (7.60) in the Bundesliga this season. 🧤

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) September 16, 2026

Such a high-stakes poor performance made headlines around the world and threatened Karius' career. He lost his place in Liverpool's net to new signing Allisson (which worked out quite well) and went on a spree of loans before a two-year stint with Newcastle United as a backup.

After leaving the Magpies, Karius was all but forgotten on the footballing stage. But now, aged 33 and back in his native Germany, Karius is enjoying a career revival that should be as celebrated as his Champions League final errors were admonished.

Loris Karius is Saving His Career

In recent times, the German stopper has pulled out a string of spectacular performances for newly-returning Bundesliga side Schalke 04, earning multiple Man of the Match accolades and establishing himself as the club's first-choice shot-stopper for their first top-flight campaign since 2023.

According to those who witnessed it, Karius was at the top of his game in a 3-1 win over Union Berlin last weekend, making seven saves amongst which was a sensational point-blank stop in stoppage time, helping his side seal an emphatic three points.

Loris Karius is the only goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet against Bayern Munich in their last 60 games 🤯

The German made five saves to keep them out 🧤 pic.twitter.com/ou9P6329Sb

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 6, 2026

That peformance came after another heroic display against Bavarian heavyweights Bayern Munich, where the exiled former Anfield resident provided three excellent saves to earn a clean sheet and a vital point against the odds of a 0-0 draw.

It stands as a brilliant return to elite-level football for a player whose career seemed to be over after one fateful night for Liverpool.

Karius Had Hit 'Rock Bottom'

Following those two errors against Real Madrid - a routine throw out that hit Karim Benzema and went in, and a mis-handle of a 40-yard strike from Gareth Bale straight at him - the German goalkeeper faced an overwhelming amount of media and fan scrutiny, despite it being revealed that he had suffered a concussion before the incidents.

Karius recently opened up about the mental health toll of that period, admitting he hit 'rock bottom' and considered leaving football altogether.

Before you consider wading into Loris Karius today, spend 20 seconds watching this from last night and remember he's only 24 years old. #LFC @LFC #Karius pic.twitter.com/H7yUXlATP7

— Steve Scott (@stevescott_itv) May 27, 2018

"I thought about ending my career: I was only 25," Karius revealed in a solem interview. "I no longer wanted to train, no longer wanted to play."

Following his departure from Anfield, two loan spells with Besiktas (cancelled after a wage dispute) and Union Berlin and a quiet time spent as a backup at Newcastle United (where he played in a League Cup final), Karius came back to Germany with Schalke to fight for his career and tarnished on-field reputation.

That sheer grit is working well in his favour, with the 33-year-old rising from a forgotten name to one of Europe's most in-form goalkeepers.

Stay strong Karius, it has happened to the best of players. Ignore those who hate.@LorisKarius

— Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) July 23, 2018

Such is the level he is on at the moment, whispers of an international call-up have shadowed around Biberach-born Karius. With national legend Manuel Neuer retiring and Germany lacking in quality to replace him, Karius making his way back into Die Mannschaft, for the first time at a senior level, is not as ridiculous as a prospect as you may have expected.

If he carries on with this incredible Schalke form, then we may just be in the midst of one of football's greatest modern redemption arcs.