Loris Karius' career set to take surprise turn after eight years after Real Madrid disaster

Loris Karius lived through one of the worst experiences in Champions League history back in 2018 when he produced a goalkeeping horror show in the final between Liverpool and Real Madrid.

But eight years on, he looks set to find himself back amongst Europe's elite after strong interest from Bayern Munich.

Back in 2018, Karius found himself in between the sticks for the biggest night of his career as Liverpool took on Real in the final in Kiev, Ukraine.

But it proved to be a complete disaster for the German, who made two costly mistakes in the second half in a 3-1 loss as Real claimed another European crown.

First off, he rolled the ball straight out to Karim Benzema to open the scoring in a freak goal in the 51st minute.

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Sadio Mane equalised shortly after before Gareth Bale came off the bench to score a stunning overhead kick that is quite possibly the greatest goal in the history of the Champions League.

There was nothing Karius could do about the piece of magic but he was at fault for the third, spilling a swerving long-effort from Bale into his net.

Karius was distraught afterwards, putting his hands up to apologise to the Liverpool supporters with tears in his eyes.

Loris Karius' concussion in Champions League final cited as potential cause of costly errors

He later underwent scans at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where it was concluded that a concussion sustained from a blow delivered by Sergio Ramos early on may have played a significant role in his errors.

Dr Ross Zafonte, a leading specialist in brain injuries, along with Dr Lenore Herget, found that he had signs of visual spatial dysfunction.

Speaking in July, a couple of months on from the final defeat, Klopp said: "We don't use it as an excuse, we use it as an explanation. For me, it's 100% the explanation [his performance] He was influenced by that knock – that is 100%."

However, despite the backing, Klopp elected to sign one of the world's best goalkeepers in Alisson Becker for a then-world record fee.

After online death threats which prompted Merseyside Police to get involved, Karius was loaned out to Antalyspor in Turkey and Union Berlin and entered a difficult period.

"It has been difficult to shake off," he admitted to SPORTbible in a 2024 exclusive interview.

"Even at other clubs when I was trying to gain a manager's trust or get game time when I felt like, in my opinion, I deserved it… there have definitely been moments where I've thought that was my disadvantage.

"It might not even be the manager's fault but if you know you have a player that is going to draw so much attention then it's going to add pressure. They've probably thought, ‘I'll take the easy and safe way rather than go the other route.’

"You can understand in some ways but it's frustrating when there isn't much else you can do to change their mind."

He continued: "My confidence was knocked in the days after and in pre-season, for sure. Everything I did was getting looked at. It was so extreme. It all got a bit too much.

"I was trying not to pay any interest but you couldn't get away from it all. You still notice. People are telling you. I was getting confronted all the time. And that's why I wanted a fresh start rather than staying at Liverpool, where I could have been behind Alisson, and still getting game time.

"Maybe in the end that would have been the better step but it's difficult to say at that stage."

Loris Karius could seal dream transfer after remarkable resurgence

His contract with Liverpool was not extended and expired in June 2022, leading to his release. The former Manchester City academy player never played again for Liverpool after the Champions League final.

He did return to England though, signing with Newcastle initially on a short-term contract. He only played twice, his most notable appearance coming in the Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester United after Nick Pope was suspended and Martin Dubravka was cup tied.

Despite a 2-0 loss, Karius produced a solid display in a rare start and ended up getting a contract extension that kept him at St James' Park until July 2024.

After another period as a free agent, Karis returned to his native Germany and that is where his career revival has really taken shape.

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Karius signed for Schalke when they were in the second division in January 2025 - coming in as the understudy to Justin Heekeren. But he ended up displacing his fellow shotstopper and became first choice, earning two contract extensions and helping the team earn promotion back to the Bundesliga after winning the second tier.

Now 33, Karius has played 10 times for Schalke this term - including eight times in the Bundesliga.

The Gelsenkirchen outfit are currently 17th out of 18, but Karius has impressed, to the point that Bayern want to sign him.

According to Florian Plettenberg, Karius is on Bayern's shortlist for a new goalkeeper and "fits the profile" they are looking for.

Bayern captain Manuel Neuer went off injured again in the 2-1 win over Mainz and is widely expected to retire at the end of the season.

Fulham and Germany goalkeeper Bernd Leno has also been linked with joining Bayern.

It appears as though one game in particular impressed the hierarchy at Bayern. In September, he produced a fine display to shut out Bayern in a 0-0 draw - making five saves and denying Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane.

The heroics from Karius stopped Bayern's 59-match run of scoring in every game and denied a 13th straight loss to the Bavarians, while helping Schalke to their first Bundesliga point in more than three years.

Those saves may now secure him a transfer to the biggest team in Germany, nearly eight years on from his worst night.