Former Liverpool and Newcastle United goalkeeper Loris Karius has admitted he has considered retiring after spending a significant period without regular playing time.
The 31-year-old is unfortunately best remembered for his costly mistakes in Liverpool’s 2018 Champions League final loss, including gifting Karim Benzema an opening goal and failing to save a long-range strike from Gareth Bale.
Karius later joined Newcastle United under Eddie Howe but struggled to secure game time. Now a free agent, he has revealed in an interview with *Sport Bible* that he’s contemplating stepping away from football altogether, with other projects already catching his interest.
On the possibility of retiring, Karius said:
“If you’ve been out for as long as I have, retirement is something you have to consider. I haven’t made a decision yet because there’s no rush. I’m still fit and have the potential and ability.
“But if opportunities don’t arise, I have to be honest with myself and say, ‘I have other exciting pursuits I can explore.’ I don’t think it would affect me too much because I’ve been mentally preparing for this over the past few years.”
Although Karius remains fit and capable, his reputation from that infamous Champions League final continues to overshadow his career.
It remains to be seen if another club will offer him a chance to prove himself, or if he’ll decide to focus on ventures outside of football.
