Loris Karius makes mistake for Liverpool v Borussia Dortmund in International Champions Cup but hits out at critics
Goalkeeper hits out after another error in preseason friendly, as Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas asks ‘will this attack on Loris Karius ever end?’
Loris Karius has rounded on his critics after another series of blunders in Liverpool’s 3-1 friendly defeat by Borussia Dortmund in North Carolina.
US international Christian Pulisic scored twice in the second half as the German side were victorious in the International Champions Cup match.
But it was much-maligned goalkeeper Karius who bore the brunt of criticism by Liverpool fans again.
Following Karius’ costly errors against Real Madrid in last season’s Champions League final, Liverpool have splashed out £65 million (US$85 million) on Roma goalkeeper Alisson, who is on holiday following his exploits with Brazil at the World Cup.
And Karius was at fault again for Jurgen Klopp’s side on their tour of the US. Dortmund’s third goal came when he parried a weak shot from Pulisic towards Jacob Brunn Larsen, who made no mistake.
It capped off an erratic display from Karius, who had also passed straight to Dortmund’s Max Philipp in the early minutes when trying to clear a long ball.
But the 25-year-old hit back at the latest criticism to come his way in a post on Instagram after the match.
“To those who take joy in seeing other people fail or suffer, I feel for you,” Karius 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.”
Legendary former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas jumped to Karius’ defence on Twitter too.
“Will this attack on Loris Karius ever end? I’m talking about him like so many other goalkeepers,” Casillas wrote.
“There are many more serious problems in the world! Leave the kid alone! He’s also a person! As we all are!”
Klopp gave Karius his backing after the Dortmund match, but confirmed – if there was any doubt – that Brazil No 1 Alisson will take over as Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper.
“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 told a news conference.
“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 is the truth. Nothing else.”
Liverpool face Premier League Champions Manchester City next in New York on Wednesday with Manchester United to follow in Michigan at the weekend.
The club then travel to Dublin, Ireland to face Napoli, where Klopp said he expects Alisson to make his debut.
“He is desperate to play. He could have joined us here in America but it made absolutely no sense,” Klopp said.
“He had a long year and as Brazil’s number one, it was quite an intense year, so I sent him on holiday again … I would say he plays in Dublin.”
