Former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius has admitted there is no “bad blood” between himself and Jurgen Klopp following the agonising end to his stay at Anfield.
Loris Karius said: “My time at Liverpool was over and I was looking to move on [in 2021], but then there was difficulties to get a transfer done. I found myself in a situation where I had to stay at Liverpool, knowing I wouldn’t get my chance. It was discussed openly with the manager. There’s no bad blood, but knowing the situation from the beginning was tough. Last season, being left out of the matchday squad, you lose a bit of the feeling you have when you win, lose and travel with the team. You just miss it. It’s then not easy to stay positive and keep working because you obviously know you are not going to be involved. I learned a lot from that and tried my best in training and kept myself positive on the mental side. I’ve played over 200 games in the first division and national teams so I knew my qualities. I knew I had plenty to offer. I am only turning 30 and that’s not old for a keeper, but of course last season was difficult.”
Having signed for Eddie Howe’s side on an initial short-term deal earlier this year, Karius has been tipped to pen fresh terms at St James’ Park and is part of the Magpies squad looking to break into the Premier League’s European places and continue to go from strength to strength following their takeover from a Saudi Arabian-led consortium last October. However, the 30-year-old is hoping he can finally allow his football to do the talking once again, admitting that he is tired of the endless talk around his performance against Real Madrid in May 2018, which he believes ultimately cost him a future under Klopp.
Loris Karius said: “It [the mistakes] made me go to another club. It was maybe a move that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. I have said everything about this [the 2018 Champions League final]. For me it is tiring to keep talking about it, it’s football and things happen.”