Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterLoris Karius has opened up about his crisis of confidence after his nightmare performance for Liverpool in the 2018 Champions League final left him in a two-year funk that nearly saw him quit the game.The goalkeeper was at fault for two of Real Madrid's goals in their 3-1 victory over the Reds in Kyiv.Karius first rolled the ball onto the outstretched leg of Karim Benzema, with the ball deflecting into the net to give Real the opener; and after conceding a brilliant Gareth Bale bicycle kick he could do nothing about, Karius dropped a completely routine save into his own net to allow Bale a second goal."I lost my love for football. I no longer wanted to train, no longer wanted to play"Manager Jurgen Klopp said after the game that Karius' performance had been '100% influenced' by a concussion he picked up during the game, most likely from a Sergio Ramos elbow just before the first goal.However, Alisson's arrival a few weeks later effectively spelt the end of Karius' Liverpool career, with the keeper sent out for loan spells at Besiktas and Union Berlin over the next three seasons before being released and signing for Newcastle United. You may like 'Depression is personal, it's deep inside you. It devastated me. I didn't have any interest in anything else at that point' Liverpool star opens up on battle with depression following Diogo Jota loss Kasper Schmeichel reflects on his career and Leicester City title win following retirement 'I blame myself for Liverpool exit' John Arne Riise on the circumstances which ended his trophy-laden spell at Anfield Karius told Welt.de that his two years in exile from Liverpool in Istanbul were dark days for him.He said: "Up until that point, my career had been on a steep upward trajectory, then I suddenly crashed all the way to rock bottom.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over."It was extremely tough, especially since at the time, in my mid-20s, I wasn't as settled as I am now."Quite honestly, during that period, I lost my love for football. I no longer wanted to train, no longer wanted to play."Without naming names, Karius indicates that when he reached out for support, he was 'told that he played for a great club, had a great apartment, and earned good money' - effectively, 'shut up and get on with it'. What to read next Thierry Henry reflects on losing the 2006 Champions League and World Cup finals Liverpool report: Alisson to Juventus saga takes dramatic twist Liverpool REGRET transfer business as another Reds legend departs: report Karius said: "I didn't care about any of that. I was just miserable and felt like I had no one who could help me out of that hole. They were difficult years.""I just felt empty. I even considered ending my career, but I was only 25 years old and couldnt just stay home.During that period, I felt like nobody understood me."Now at Schalke, Karius has found form again and last year helped the club finish top of 2. Bundesliga to end their three-year spell in the German second tier.TOPICSLoris KariusGareth BaleKarim BenzemaSchalke 04Newcastle UnitedLiverpoolReal MadridSteven ChickenSocial Links NavigationSteven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication,WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.
