Just a few years ago, Loris Karius believed his career was over. Today, he is one of the most in-form goalkeepers in German football and a symbol of resilience, mental strength, and redemption.
In 2021, after leaving Liverpool, Karius found himself without a club at the age of 28. Seven months passed without football, without offers, and without certainty about his future.
“I was retired. It sounds dramatic, but in my head I was basically retired,” Karius admitted.
Now, the German goalkeeper is writing a powerful new chapter with Schalke 04, a historic club fighting its way back to the top. Together, they are chasing promotion and restoring pride after years of turmoil.
From Unwanted to Unstoppable
In just 12 months at Schalke, Karius has helped transform a team that was battling relegation into a title contender in the 2. Bundesliga. Schalke currently boast the best defensive record in the league, conceding only 10 goals in 18 matches, with Karius at the heart of that success.
“There was a time when my confidence was very low — now it’s definitely very high,” he says.
His resurgence is even more remarkable considering how quickly his career unraveled after the 2018 Champions League final in Kyiv — a night that changed everything.
The Liverpool Turning Point
That final proved to be the beginning of the end of his Liverpool career, although Karius only realized it later. Medical assessments later confirmed he had suffered a concussion during the match.
“The conversation was that I would start again the next season,” Karius recalls of his talks with Jürgen Klopp.
At just 24, he was Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Simon Mignolet and believed the club would continue to back his development. But in mid-July, Liverpool signed Alisson Becker, making him the most expensive goalkeeper in the world at the time.
“I found out through the news,” Karius says. “No one told me beforehand.”
Though he harbors no resentment, the sudden replacement came as a shock and forced him into an uncertain future.
Difficult Loans and Lost Confidence
With limited options late in the transfer window, Karius accepted a loan move to Beşiktaş — a decision he now admits was rushed and damaging.
“I thought a new environment would help me restart, but it turned out to be very tough,” he explains.
Harsh criticism and unpaid wages further eroded his confidence. His contract was terminated early, followed by an unsuccessful loan at Union Berlin, where he barely played. When his Liverpool contract expired, Karius was once again without a club.
Seven Months Away From Football
During his time away from the game, retirement became a serious consideration.
“They weren’t the worst months,” he says with a smile. “I spent time with family, traveled, did things you normally don’t get to do. I still wanted to play football — but only if it felt right.”
Wembley Redemption With Newcastle
That chance came with Newcastle United, where he joined as a third-choice goalkeeper. Although he made just two appearances in two years, one of them was unforgettable: the 2023 Carabao Cup final at Wembley against Manchester United.
With Nick Pope suspended and Martin Dúbravka unavailable, Karius started his first competitive match in nearly two years — on the biggest domestic stage.
Despite Newcastle’s defeat, his performance was widely praised.
“It was disappointing not to win, but personally it was special,” he said. “To come back and play in another final — it was a beautiful story.”
A New Life at Schalke
That moment helped restore his belief. Soon after, Schalke came calling — and Karius hasn’t looked back.
Promotion to the Bundesliga would be a defining achievement, not just for him, but for a club supported by one of Europe’s most passionate fanbases.
“It would mean everything to everyone here,” Karius says. “Seeing the joy in the fans again is something special. I want to give them as many great moments as possible.”
Happiness Off the Pitch
Away from football, life is equally fulfilling. Karius is married to Italian sports presenter Diletta Leotta, and the couple are expecting their second child. They welcomed their daughter Aria in 2023 and married in June 2024 in Sicily.
“Our love was instant,” Leotta once said. “When he walked in, I told my friends: ‘The man of my life has just arrived.’”
