Karius doubts
> Loris indecisive on Liverpool future following Alisson arrival
LORIS KARIUS has not ruled out leaving Liverpool this summer having lost his status as Jürgen Klopp’s first-choice goalkeeper. Klopp confirmed this weekend that new arrival Alisson, the world’s most-expensive ‘keeper following his £66m (RM352m) signing from Roma, will start the new season as Liverpool’s No 1.
Karius’ position at Liverpool has come under great scrutiny since his errors in May’s Champions League final handed victory to Real Madrid and now, he must settle with a role on the bench.
Speaking after the final whistle in Charlotte on Sunday, Karius admitted the arrival of Alisson was far from ideal before casting doubt over his long-term future.
“Of course that’s not perfect for me, but I cannot say much more about that either,” he said of Alisson while speaking to Sky Germany.
When asked whether he could leave this summer, Karius added: “I do not know that, I cannot say what I’m doing right now, there’s still some time left [in the transfer window].”
Karius was at fault for the final goal in Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat to Dortmund, parrying Sky Sports Daily Star, Christian Pulisic’s late shot into the path of scorer Jacob Bruun Larsen.
This latest error followed one against Tranmere Rovers earlier in pre-season and though his mistakes against Madrid were explained by a concussion, the criticism of his recent displays has been relentless.
Karius responded to his detractors on Sunday through the medium of Instagram. “To those who take joy in seeing other people fail or suffer, I feel for you,” he wrote.
“Whatever it is that’s happening in your life to hold this much anger and hate, I pray that it passes and good things come to you.”
Karius received a message of support from Iker Casillas, the Porto goalkeeper formerly of Real Madrid and Spain.
“Will this attack on (Karius) ever end? I’m talking about him like so many other goalkeepers,” Casillas tweeted.
“There are many more serious problems in the world, f***! Leave the kid alone! He’s also a person. As we all are!”
Klopp expects Alisson to make his first appearance in a Liverpool shirt against Napoli in Dublin on Aug 4. – Agencies Sports, Sports Sky Sky