Loris Karius has taken to Instagram to hit back at his critics after another error-strewn display in Liverpool’s 3-1 friendly defeat by Borussia Dortmund in the United States. Dortmund’s third goal came after Karius parried a meagre shot from Christian Pulisic into the path of Jacob Brunn Larsen.
Before then, Karius had done little to inspire confidence. In the opening minutes, he rushed out of his box to clear a long ball but instead directed it into the feet of Max Philipp, who was unable to convert from range. Taking to Instagram after the match, Karius wrote: ‘To those who take joy in seeing other people fail or suffer, I feel for you.
‘Whatever it is thats (sic) happening in your life to hold that much anger and hate, I pray that it passes and good things come to you.’
And he was backed by Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah, who tweeted: ‘Stay strong Karius, it has happened to the best of players. Ignore those who hate.’
Legendary Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas has also jumped to the defence of Liverpool’s under fire stopper Loris Karius after the German came in for more criticism on Sunday night. Karius has been the subject of fan abuse after making two errors in the Champions League final that ultimately cost Liverpool in their 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in Kiev. The German has since returned to pre-season with his confidence in tatters and went on to make further errors in friendly matches against Tranmere and Borussia Dortmund. Casillas, who played 725 games for Real Madrid and is currently at FC Porto, took to social media on Sunday night to defend the 25-year-old.
‘Will this attack on Loris Karius ever end? I’m talking about him like so many other goalkeepers,’ the 2010 World Cup winner wrote on Twitter. ‘There are many more serious problems in the world… f***! Leave the kid alone! He’s also a person. As we all are!’
The 25-year-old Karius returned for pre-season training at Liverpool under immense scrutiny after two glaring errors in May’s 3-1 Champions League final defeat by Real Madrid. But earlier this month, the German spilled a free-kick which led to a goal in a friendly against Tranmere and Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp duly lined up a move for Brazil No 1 Alisson.
Klopp has been protective of Karius but confirmed he will be replaced as Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper next week when Alisson joins up with the squad at a training camp in France. Alisson joined Liverpool in a £65million transfer from Roma last Thursday.
‘Obviously Alisson is a world-class goalkeeper, so we’re not going to say “let’s have a look”. He will play, of course,’ Klopp said. ‘He is the No 1 for Brazil and then there is the fee. When Alisson is ready, he will be in our goal. We all need to help him so he can perform as good as possible. That is maybe the only difference.
‘But for that to happen we need a strong squad around him and Loris is an outstanding goalkeeper. That’s the truth. Nothing else.’ Fan reaction to Karius on social media, though, was mixed with some suggesting it is best for him to leave Liverpool while others backed him to improve.’
‘Loris Karius needs a move away from Liverpool ASAP,’ one fan wrote on Twitter. Confidence shot to pieces and won’t play next season. A fresh start somewhere else to rebuild himself and get out of the fan / media scrutiny would be best for all involved.’
Another said: ‘Stay strong Loris Karius, we all know your (Sic) an excellent player. You were brilliant last season. One game doesn’t make you a bad player. Move on and I hope you come back stronger.’ Liverpool play friendlies against Manchester City on July 25 and Manchester United on July 28 in America before returning to Europe.