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Loris Karius
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Loris Sven Karius (born 22 June 1993) is a German professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for 2. Bundesliga club Schalke 04. He represented Germany at youth level.

Key Information

Karius began his career with VfB Stuttgart before moving to Manchester City in 2009. After two years in Manchester City's youth system, he returned to Germany with Mainz 05. He established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper for the Bundesliga side before transferring to Liverpool in 2016 for a fee of £4.75 million. Karius would go on to play in the 2018 UEFA Champions League final with the club, with Liverpool suffering a 3–1 defeat to Real Madrid and Karius making two crucial goalkeeping errors that led to goals. He was subsequently loaned out to Beşiktaş and Union Berlin before later joining Newcastle United and Schalke.

Early life

[edit]

Karius was born in Biberach, Baden-Württemberg to Christine and Harald Karius.[4] Harald intended for his son to become a motocross rider, but Loris' grandfather, Karl, encouraged him to focus on football.[5]

Karius attended Pestalozzi-Gymnasium Biberach until his move to England in 2009 where he was then privately tutored.[6]

Club career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Karius played for local team SG Mettenberg and SSV Ulm before joining VfB Stuttgart, where he rose through the youth ranks and appeared for the German under-16 national team against FYROM in September 2008.[7] Manchester City invited Karius and his family to England after watching him in Germany's under-16 game against Azerbaijan, and completed his signing on 1 July 2009.[8] Karius played for the under-18 and the under-21 Manchester City teams, but did not make a senior appearance during his time in Manchester.[9][10]

Mainz 05

[edit]
Karius with Mainz 05 in 2015

He was loaned to Mainz 05 in August 2011, where he played for Mainz 05's reserve team, Mainz 05 II, in the Regionalliga. On 11 January 2012, the move was made permanent with Karius committing himself to a two-year deal with an option for a third year that would extend his contract to June 2015.[11] He made his Mainz 05 debut on 1 December 2012 in a Bundesliga match against Hannover 96 when he was substituted for Shawn Parker after goalkeeper Christian Wetklo had been sent off, which, aged 19 years and 5 months, made Karius the youngest goalkeeper ever to play in the Bundesliga for Mainz.[5][12] He made no further appearances in the 2012–13 season, but established himself as first-choice goalkeeper in the 2013–14 season and on 12 January 2015 signed a three-year contract extension.[13] Karius was ever-present in the 2015–16 season, keeping nine clean sheets, saving two penalties and being voted the second-best goalkeeper in the league in a poll of 235 fellow Bundesliga players, ranking behind only Manuel Neuer.[14][15]

Liverpool

[edit]
Karius lining up for Liverpool in 2017

2016–17 season

[edit]

On 24 May 2016, Karius signed with Liverpool for a fee of £4.75 million on a five-year deal.[16][17] He was given the number 1 shirt.[18]

Karius made his Liverpool debut in a 3–0 League Cup win over Derby County on 20 September 2016.[19] He played his first Premier League match against Hull City, which ended in a 5–1 victory for the Reds, on 24 September.[20] Karius recorded his first Premier League clean sheet on 17 October, in a 0–0 draw with rivals Manchester United.[21] On 24 October 2016, Jürgen Klopp confirmed that Karius was Liverpool's first-choice goalkeeper, ahead of Simon Mignolet.[22] After two sub-par performances in early December, which included spilling Lewis Cook's tame shot into the path of Nathan Aké to tap home into an empty net to give Bournemouth a 4–3 win, Karius was dropped from the starting eleven. Regarding this decision, Klopp stated he wanted to take Karius "out the firing line," and that "Karius is a young goalkeeper. He will bounce back."[23]

2017–18 season

[edit]

In the 2018 Champions League quarter-final second leg away to Manchester City, with the aggregate scoreline at 3–1 to Liverpool, Karius was involved in a controversial incident when he failed to clear a cross into the penalty area, punching the ball down which ricocheted off teammate James Milner and into the path of City winger Leroy Sané who scored, only for the linesman to give offside.[24] In Liverpool's Champions League semi-final home leg against Roma, with the scoreline at 0–0, Karius let Aleksandar Kolarov's shot go through his hands with the ball then hitting the crossbar, before Liverpool went on to win 5–2.[25] In the away game in Rome, Karius was involved in a contested incident when he came rushing out of his goal and brought down Edin Džeko inside the penalty area, but instead of a penalty and red card the linesman gave offside in what The Telegraph called "an extremely tight call".[26] Minutes later, Karius parried a Roma shot into the path of Džeko which levelled the score for Roma at 2–2, before the game finished 4–2 to Roma but 7–6 to Liverpool on aggregate.[26]

2018 Champions League final
[edit]

Karius started for Liverpool against Real Madrid in the 2018 UEFA Champions League final, which his side lost 3–1.[27] He was deemed at fault for two of the goals that Liverpool conceded, the first and third: the first when his throw was blocked by Karim Benzema and deflected into the net; the second when he mishandled Gareth Bale's 40-yard strike.[28]

After the match, Karius wept and tearfully apologised to Liverpool fans who remained in the stands.[29] He also stated that his mistakes "lost the team the final".[30] After the match, Karius received online death threats, mainly on Twitter, which prompted Merseyside Police to launch an investigation.[31][32] Five days later, Karius underwent an examination at Massachusetts General Hospital. Medics concluded he had suffered a concussion from an elbow to his head, reportedly from Sergio Ramos just minutes before his first mistake. Doctors, however, did not pinpoint the exact moment he was concussed. According to doctor Ross Zafonte, it was possible the concussion affected his performance.[33][34] Later, on 6 July, at the start of pre season, Klopp stated that Karius was "100% influenced by his concussion", leading to his errors, with Klopp saying "We don't use it as an excuse, we use it as an explanation. For me, it's 100% the explanation [for his performance]. He was influenced by that knock – that is 100%".[35][36][37]

Loans

[edit]

In July 2018, Liverpool broke the world transfer fee record for a goalkeeper when they signed Alisson for an initial fee of €62.5 million (£56 million), potentially rising to €72 million (£66.8 million) with performance-based bonuses. The signing effectively relegated Karius to a backup role.[38] On 25 August 2018, Karius joined Turkish club Beşiktaş on a two-year loan move.[39][40] On 8 December 2018, he made several saves against Alanyaspor in a scoreless draw.[41] In March 2019, he sought legal action against Beşiktaş for back payment of four months' wages which he alleged the club had failed to pay him.[42] On 4 May 2020, Karius terminated his contract with the Turkish outfit due to continuing issues regarding unpaid wages and after completing the majority of the two years agreed.[43][44]

On 28 September, Karius was loaned to German side Union Berlin for the 2020–21 season.[45] On 22 December 2020, Karius made his debut in a 3–2 defeat against SC Paderborn in the German DFB Pokal.[46][47] On 13 February 2021, he made his first start in the Bundesliga for Union Berlin in a goalless draw against Schalke 04.[48] In July 2021, Karius returned to Liverpool.[49] However, manager Jürgen Klopp stated in January 2022 that Karius would not be included in the squad; he made no further official appearances for the club until the end of his contract.[50] It was confirmed in June that Karius would leave the club when his contract expired at the end of the month.[51]

Newcastle United

[edit]

On 12 September 2022, Karius signed for Newcastle United on an initial contract until January 2023,[52] which was later extended until the end of the season.[53] On 26 February 2023, despite having not made a prior appearance for Newcastle, Karius made his debut for the club in the 2023 EFL Cup final in a 2–0 loss against Manchester United. This appearance came about due to first-choice Nick Pope receiving a red card against Liverpool on 18 February, and backup Martin Dúbravka being cup-tied having appeared for Newcastle's cup final opponent earlier in the season whilst on loan. The match was Karius's first in two years and his first for an English club since the 2018 UEFA Champions League final. Despite the result, Karius was praised for his performance, making eight saves during the contest.[54] On 9 July 2023, the club announced he had signed a one-year extension.[55]

On 24 February 2024, Karius made his first Premier League appearance in six seasons, in a 4–1 loss to Arsenal.[56] Karius was not expected to start the match, but both goalkeepers ahead of him were unavailable, since Pope had been injured since November 2023 and Dúbravka had been ruled out with illness on the day of the match.[57] At the end of the season, Newcastle decided not to offer a new contract to Karius, and he departed from the club on 1 July 2024.[58]

Schalke 04

[edit]

On 14 January 2025, Karius moved to Schalke 04 as a free agent, signing a contract until the end of the season.[59] On 11 June 2025, he extended his contract for two further years.[60]

International career

[edit]

Karius represented Germany at all youth levels from under-16 onward, but his appearances were limited due to competition from other goalkeepers.[citation needed]

Personal life

[edit]

Karius has been in a relationship with Italian television presenter and model Diletta Leotta since 2022. In March 2023, they announced that she was pregnant and expecting their first child. The couple got engaged later in the year, and Leotta gave birth to their first daughter, named Aria, on 16 August 2023.[61] They were married on 22 June 2024, at a private ceremony on the island of Vulcano near Sicily in Leotta's native Italy.[62]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of match played 29 October 2025[63][64]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Mainz 05 II 2011–12 Regionalliga West 18 0 — — — 18 0
2012–13 Regionalliga Südwest 6 0 — — — 6 0
2013–14 Regionalliga Südwest 3 0 — — — 3 0
Total 27 0 — — — 27 0
Mainz 05 2011–12 Bundesliga 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 0 0
2012–13 Bundesliga 1 0 0 0 — — 1 0
2013–14 Bundesliga 23 0 0 0 — — 23 0
2014–15 Bundesliga 33 0 1 0 — 2[c] 0 36 0
2015–16 Bundesliga 34 0 2 0 — — 36 0
Total 91 0 3 0 — 2 0 96 0
Liverpool 2016–17 Premier League 10 0 3 0 3 0 — 16 0
2017–18 Premier League 19 0 1 0 0 0 13[d] 0 33 0
2021–22 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 29 0 4 0 3 0 13 0 49 0
Beşiktaş (loan) 2018–19 Süper Lig 30 0 0 0 — 5[c] 0 35 0
2019–20 Süper Lig 25 0 2 0 — 5[c] 0 32 0
Total 55 0 2 0 — 10 0 67 0
Union Berlin (loan) 2020–21 Bundesliga 4 0 1 0 — — 5 0
Newcastle United 2022–23 Premier League 0 0 0 0 1 0 — 1 0
2023–24 Premier League 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Total 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0
Schalke 04 2024–25 2. Bundesliga 4 0 — — — 4 0
2025–26 2. Bundesliga 10 0 1 0 — — 11 0
Total 14 0 1 0 — — 15 0
Career total 221 0 11 0 4 0 25 0 261 0
  1. ^ Includes DFB-Pokal, FA Cup and Turkish Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League

Honours

[edit]

Liverpool

Newcastle United

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Loris Karius

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Loris Sven Karius is a German professional footballer who plays as a for club FC Schalke 04. Born on 22 June 1993 in , , Karius stands at 1.91 metres (6 ft 3 in) tall and began his youth career with local clubs SG Mettenberg and before joining in 2005 and Manchester City in 2009. He rose to prominence with , making his debut in 2012 and accumulating 91 league appearances between 2012 and 2016, during which he established himself as a reliable shot-stopper with strong distribution skills. In July 2016, Karius transferred to for a reported £4.7 million, becoming Jürgen Klopp's preferred and making 49 appearances across all competitions in his first two seasons, including a standout campaign where reached the final. However, in the 2018 final against Real Madrid in , Karius's two high-profile errors—throwing the ball directly to for the opening goal and allowing a long-range effort from to slip through his grasp—contributed to a 3–1 defeat, marking a pivotal and controversial moment in his career. Following the arrival of in 2018, Karius's opportunities diminished, leading to loans at (2018–2020, 67 appearances) and Union Berlin (2020–2021, 4 appearances). He left on a in the summer of 2022 and signed a short-term contract with Newcastle United, where he made 2 appearances before departing as a in 2024. Karius signed a short-term contract with Schalke 04 in January 2025, where he made 4 appearances in the second half of the 2024–25 season before extending his deal until June 2027; as of November 2025, he has featured in 13 matches during the 2025–26 campaign, serving as the club's number one and contributing to their promotion push with key saves. Internationally, Karius earned 7 caps for at under-21 level between 2014 and 2017 but has yet to make a senior appearance.

Early life

Childhood and family

Loris Karius was born on 22 June 1993 in , . He grew up in a where his , Harald Karius, initially encouraged him to pursue riding as a child. However, Karius showed a stronger interest in football from an early age, a choice that relieved his mother due to the perceived risks of . His early years were marked by typical family-oriented activities in , though specific details on his household dynamics or siblings remain limited in public records. Karius later transitioned to organized football through local youth clubs, setting the stage for his sporting development.

Youth football development

Karius began his organized football journey at the age of five with local club FV Biberach in his hometown of , . Initially playing as a striker, he transitioned to shortly thereafter when the regular keeper failed to appear for a youth tournament match, a role he embraced immediately and retained permanently under encouragement from his coaches. He progressed through nearby clubs, joining SG Mettenberg for the 2000–2001 season before moving to from 2001 to 2005, where his potential as a was increasingly recognized by scouts. In 2005, at the age of 12, Karius was recruited into VfB 's renowned youth academy, known for its structured development program. There, he honed his skills under specialized youth coaches, focusing on shot-stopping, distribution, and command of the , while representing the club's junior teams up to the U17 level. Seeking greater challenges and exposure abroad, he departed in 2009 at age 16 to join City's academy, attracted by the League's competitive environment and interest from multiple English clubs. After two seasons at Manchester City, where playing time was limited due to the club's emphasis on senior acquisitions over youth integration, Karius returned to in 2011. He trialed successfully with and joined their reserve team, Mainz 05 II, on loan, making appearances in the while adapting back to German football. At age 18, this move marked his entry into semi-professional competition, and in January 2012, he secured his first professional contract with Mainz on a 2.5-year deal, solidifying his path toward senior football.

Club career

Mainz 05

Karius made his senior debut for Mainz 05 on 1 December 2012, coming on as a substitute for the dismissed Christian Wetklo in a Bundesliga match against Hannover 96, where he played the final 38 minutes in a 2–1 defeat. At 19 years and five months old, this appearance made him the youngest goalkeeper to feature in the Bundesliga at that time. His first start came on 23 November 2013, in a 2–1 home win over FC Augsburg, following Wetklo's suspension and an injury to backup Heinz Müller, marking the beginning of his integration into the first team. In the 2013–14 season, under manager , Karius displaced Wetklo to become the first-choice goalkeeper, making 23 appearances as finished seventh, securing European qualification and demonstrating stability in the top flight. He recorded 9 clean sheets that campaign, contributing to the team's defensive solidity with 31 goals conceded in his outings. This breakthrough season solidified his role, following a brief youth progression from the reserve team where he had honed his skills since joining permanently in January 2012 on an initial contract until 2014, with an option for an additional year. Karius's importance grew in subsequent years, with 33 appearances and 11 clean sheets in 2014–15 as ended 11th, and a full 34 outings with 9 shutouts in 2015–16, helping the side achieve a strong sixth-place finish and another push for European spots. In January 2015, he extended his contract until 2018, reflecting his growing stature at the club. Over his time at , Karius amassed 91 appearances, establishing himself as a reliable presence in during a period of consistent mid-table security for the team. His tenure ended with a transfer to Liverpool on 1 July 2016 for a fee of €6.2 million (approximately £4.7 million), which stood as Mainz's record sale for a at the time.

Liverpool

Karius joined on a five-year contract effective from 1 July 2016, transferring from Mainz 05 for a reported fee of €6.2 million (£4.7 million), positioning him initially as a backup to established Simon Mignolet. He made his competitive debut for the club on 20 2016 in the third round against Derby County, securing a 3–0 victory with a clean sheet. During the 2016–17 season, Karius featured in 16 matches across all competitions, often rotating with Mignolet due to the Belgian's preference in fixtures, though he started in notable games such as the 6–1 league win over on 6 November 2016. His opportunities were limited by injuries, including a broken hand in preseason, but he contributed to Liverpool's progression in cup competitions, including a run to the EFL Cup quarterfinals. Karius emerged as Liverpool's first-choice goalkeeper for the 2017–18 season under , starting 37 matches across competitions and playing a pivotal role in the team's campaign, which reached the final for the first time since 2007. He started in the final against Real Madrid on 26 May 2018 at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium in , but two high-profile errors—throwing the ball straight to Karim Benzema, who scored in the 51st minute, and allowing an overhead kick from in the 64th minute to beat him after misjudging its trajectory—directly led to goals in Liverpool's 3–1 defeat. The arrival of from Roma in July 2018 for an initial €62.5 million—then a world-record for a —significantly diminished Karius's role, relegating him to third choice behind Alisson and Mignolet. He made only four appearances in the 2018–19 season, including a brief stint in the , before being loaned out in late August 2018. Upon his return from loan in summer 2020, Karius made no further competitive appearances for , primarily serving as a training goalkeeper. In the 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons, Karius saw minimal involvement with the first team, making no competitive appearances for during 2020–21 while on loan at Union Berlin and training with the senior squad in 2021–22 without selection. His contract, originally set to expire in 2021, was extended to June 2022, after which the club mutually agreed to part ways upon its conclusion, allowing him to leave as a . Over his six years at Liverpool, Karius amassed 49 appearances in all competitions, conceding 47 goals while keeping 22 clean sheets, though his tenure was marked by intense fan and media scrutiny following the final errors, including online abuse and death threats that prompted public apologies from the . Subsequent loan spells away from provided opportunities to regain match fitness.

Loans from Liverpool

In August 2018, Karius joined on a two-year from , seeking regular playing time after falling down the pecking order following Alisson Becker's arrival. During the 2018–19 season, he established himself as the first-choice , making 30 appearances in the with 6 clean sheets as finished third and qualified for the group stage. He also featured in 5 Europa League matches, contributing to the team's progression to the group stage before elimination. The loan was extended into the 2019–20 season, where Karius overcame an early hamstring injury to play 25 Süper Lig games, recording 8 clean sheets amid Beşiktaş's third-place finish. He added 5 Europa League and 2 appearances for a total of 32 outings, but the campaign was disrupted by the , with the Süper Lig suspended in March 2020; Karius did not feature upon resumption in June. In May 2020, he terminated the deal early after filing a complaint with over unpaid wages, receiving a settlement of approximately £400,000. In September 2020, Karius moved on a season-long to to return to familiar surroundings in the . Primarily serving as backup to Rafael Gikiewicz, he made 4 appearances and 1 in the , keeping 2 clean sheets in league play during a run that helped Union secure a 7th-place finish and qualification for the UEFA Europa Conference League. Karius returned to at the end of the 2020–21 season but remained an unused substitute throughout 2021–22, with no further moves materializing. He was released by the club in May 2022 upon contract expiry. Across his loans from , Karius accumulated 72 appearances (67 at and 5 at Union Berlin), demonstrating resilience in adapting to the physical demands of the Turkish and re-establishing himself in German football after his high-profile errors in 's 2018 Champions League final.

Newcastle United

On 12 September 2022, Newcastle United signed Loris Karius on a free transfer as a short-term to provide additional depth behind first-choice Pope and second-choice . The initial contract ran until January 2023 with an option to extend, reflecting Karius's role as third-choice option amid a busy schedule across competitions. His prior loan experiences at clubs like and Union Berlin had prepared him for such a squad support position, emphasizing reliability in training and occasional match preparation. Karius's contract was extended on 19 January 2023 until the end of the 2022–23 season, allowing him to remain part of the squad as Newcastle pushed for European qualification. His debut came in the final against Manchester United on 26 February 2023, where he started and played the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 defeat at ; this marked his first competitive appearance for the club after over five months on the sidelines. Despite limited playing time that season, Newcastle finished fourth in the , securing their first Champions League qualification in 20 years, with Karius contributing to squad stability during a historic campaign. In July 2023, Karius agreed to a one-year contract extension until June 2024, continuing as backup amid ongoing depth needs. The 2023–24 season saw even fewer opportunities due to injuries affecting Pope and Dúbravka, but Karius made his debut for Newcastle on 24 February 2024, starting in a 4–1 away loss to . He recorded four saves in that match but could not prevent the defeat. Overall, Karius made just two appearances during his time at Newcastle—none resulting in clean sheets—while supporting the team's transition to mid-table security and Europa League qualification via a seventh-place finish. His contract expired at the end of June 2024 without renewal, leading to his departure as a .

Schalke 04

On 14 January 2025, Loris Karius joined Schalke 04 on a free transfer, signing a contract until the end of the 2024–25 season to serve as the first-choice replacing the injured . This move marked his return to German football after years in the , building on his earlier experience at 05. During the remainder of the 2024–25 season, Karius made four appearances, conceding five goals while contributing to the team's efforts amid a challenging campaign for the club. However, his progress was halted by a calf muscle injury in late March 2025, which sidelined him for the rest of the season. Despite this setback, his initial showings demonstrated a resurgence in form, prompting Schalke to extend his on 11 June 2025 until 30 June 2027, with the club citing his integration into the squad and positive fan reception as key factors. In the ongoing 2025–26 season, as of 17 November 2025, Karius has solidified his role as the primary , making 12 appearances, during which he has recorded 5 clean sheets and conceded 6 goals. His performances have been instrumental in Schalke's strong start, with the team positioned second in table on 27 points from 12 matches, firmly in contention for promotion back to the . Adapting swiftly after his stints, Karius has enhanced the squad's defensive stability, earning praise for his command in the box and distribution, which have helped foster a more cohesive unit at the club. Overall, these developments underscore Karius's revitalization at age 32, transforming him from a peripheral figure in to a cornerstone of Schalke's promotion ambitions.

International career

Youth international career

Karius began his international youth career with the U16 team in 2008, earning three caps that season. His debut came in a friendly against on 20 September 2008, where he was named to the bench, but he featured in subsequent matches, including a 5-0 win over . These performances highlighted his potential as a shot-stopper and drew interest from Manchester City, contributing to his move to in 2009. He progressed to the U17 level in 2009–10, securing one cap in a friendly against on 19 September 2009. Karius was included in the squad for the 2010 , where Germany reached the quarter-finals before elimination by on penalties, though he did not feature in the tournament matches. At U19 level during 2011–12, Karius made one appearance in a 3–2 friendly win over on 6 September 2011. He was part of the squad for the elite qualification round of the 2012 , where Germany finished second in Group 3 behind and failed to qualify for the finals. Karius earned additional youth experience with single caps for the U18 team in a 1–1 friendly draw against on 24 March 2011, where he started in goal, and for the U20 team in a 3–1 win over on 14 November 2012. From 2012 to 2015, he was a squad member for the U21 team, including the , where exited in the group stage. Karius made his only U21 appearance as a substitute in a 1–1 friendly draw against the on 18 November 2014, playing the final 45 minutes; this was his last youth international match in June 2015 during squad duties. In total, Karius amassed eight caps across Germany's youth teams from U16 to U21, often serving as a backup while developing his shot-stopping skills in competitive setups.

Senior international career

Karius has not earned any senior caps for the Germany national team, remaining uncapped throughout his professional career. Despite early promise in youth internationals that drew attention from national team selectors, he was never included in a senior . The goalkeeper position for has been firmly held by as the primary choice, with Marc-André ter Stegen established as the reliable backup, creating intense competition that has sidelined other candidates like Karius. No further opportunities arose following his high-profile role at in 2017–18, as his form dipped amid club challenges and the depth of German goalkeeping talent. This lack of international exposure underscores an unfulfilled aspect of his potential at the highest level.

Personal life

Romantic relationships

Karius's first high-profile relationship was with German actress and model , which began in late 2018 shortly after her split from musician . The couple's romance gained significant media attention due to Thomalla's established fame in German entertainment, with public sightings including affectionate displays in and during Karius's loan spell at . They ended the relationship amicably in early 2021, with Karius later confirming they had "drifted apart" over time amid his career transitions. Following the breakup with Thomalla, Karius was briefly linked to German influencer Janine Wiggert in mid-2022, with the pair spotted together publicly in May, sparking speculation about a new romance. Their relationship, however, was short-lived, ending by 2022 without major public drama, as Karius moved on to his next partnership. In late 2022, Karius began dating Italian television presenter and model , with the relationship first publicized through social media posts and joint appearances in November. In March 2023, the couple announced that Leotta was pregnant with their first child. The couple faced challenges from long-distance arrangements, as Leotta's career kept her based in while Karius pursued club opportunities across , yet they maintained visibility through shared vacations and events like holiday trips to . They announced their engagement in January 2024 via an post showcasing Leotta's ring, followed by a private ceremony on Vulcano Island, , in June 2024.

Family and residences

Loris Karius maintains a close relationship with his parents, Christine and Harald Karius, who have been supportive of his football career since his youth. His mother, Christine, approved of his decision to pursue football over his father's preference for , a choice that shaped his early development in the sport. Karius and welcomed their daughter, , on August 16, 2023. The couple, who married in 2024, now co-parent amid a long-distance arrangement, with Leotta based in for her professional commitments while Karius plays in . In a July 2025 interview, Karius discussed their openness to expanding their family, stating they would love a second child but have no concrete plans yet. During his time at Liverpool from 2016 to 2022, Karius owned property in the city, as featured in a 2018 segment showcasing his home life. Following his move to Newcastle United in 2022, he resided in the Newcastle area until departing at the end of the 2023-24 season. As of 2025, his primary base is in , , near his club Schalke 04, though he frequently travels to to spend time with his wife and daughter.

Playing style and reception

Playing style

Loris Karius, standing at 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) and right-footed, is recognized for his agility, sharp reflexes, and proficient footwork, which enable him to effectively fulfill the sweeper-keeper role by advancing beyond his line to intercept threats. His physical build supports quick acceleration and tactical awareness in the , allowing him to dominate space and contribute to build-up play. Among his key strengths, Karius excels in one-on-one situations, where his instinctive reactions and willingness to dive into challenges make him a formidable shot-stopper, often using his frame to block onrushing attackers. His distribution with his feet has been particularly praised by former Liverpool manager , who highlighted Karius's composure in initiating attacks from the back, aiding quick transitions. Additionally, he demonstrates strong command in the , organizing the defense vocally and achieving a high success rate on aerial claims, with 99% effectiveness in the 2015-16 season. However, Karius has shown vulnerabilities, including occasional errors under high-pressure conditions, lapses in positioning, and challenges in handling crosses, as evidenced by his performance in the where mishandling a long-range shot and a throw-out directly contributed to goals conceded. These issues stem partly from rash decision-making, leading to risky interventions. Over time, Karius has evolved, demonstrating steadier command in training and matches during his stint at Newcastle United. His style draws comparisons to Manuel Neuer's modern sweeper-keeper archetype, emphasizing proactive involvement, though Karius has been less consistent in execution.

Career reception and controversies

Karius's early career at 05 was marked by high praise from experts and media, who frequently compared him to Germany's premier , . In a 2016 poll, Karius finished second only to Neuer, highlighting his potential as a sweeping, modern shot-stopper with strong distribution skills. Upon joining in 2016, Karius initially showed promise but faced a mixed reception, with his tenure overshadowed by inconsistent performances and injuries that limited his opportunities. His loan spells at in 2018 and Union Berlin in 2020 were viewed as significant setbacks, as errors persisted and he struggled to regain confidence, ultimately leading to his release from in 2022 without recapturing his early form. The pinnacle of scrutiny came after Liverpool's loss to Real Madrid, where Karius's two high-profile errors—throwing the ball directly to and failing to stop a long-range shot from —directly led to both goals, resulting in intense media criticism labeling the match a "nightmare" for the young . He received death threats on in the aftermath, prompting widespread condemnation of the abuse and highlighting the psychological toll on players. In 2018, a formal confirmed that Karius had suffered a during the final from a clash with , impairing his vision and reaction time, which shifted some public and expert blame toward the incident and raised questions about player safety protocols. Neurologists at verified the brain trauma, noting it likely contributed to the errors, leading to renewed sympathy and discussions on concussion management in football. During his 2018 loan at , Karius faced another controversy when private messages he sent to several Turkish women were leaked, sparking backlash for their flirtatious nature and leading to his temporary suspension from the ; he issued a public apology, stating the interactions were meant to be private. The incident drew media scrutiny in and further damaged his reputation amid ongoing performance struggles. By 2025, Karius experienced a notable resurgence at Schalke 04 in the , where his solid performances, including clean sheets in key matches, earned praise from German media as a "renaissance" for the veteran , culminating in a contract extension until 2027. Outlets highlighted his composure and leadership, marking a positive evolution from earlier career lows. Fan perspectives on Karius have evolved, with supporters showing forgiveness following the revelation, often viewing his career as one of untapped talent hampered by misfortune rather than inherent flaws. Many expressed for his post-final tears and apologies, appreciating his while lamenting the bad that derailed his trajectory.

Statistics and achievements

Club career statistics

Loris Karius has made a total of 233 appearances in his senior club career across various competitions, conceding approximately 250 goals while achieving 80 clean sheets; he has not scored any goals as a goalkeeper.
ClubYearsLeague AppsTotal AppsGoals ConcededClean Sheets
Mainz 052011–2016919612432
Liverpool2016–202229494722
Beşiktaş (loan)2018–202055679514
Union Berlin (loan)2020–20214452
Newcastle United2022–20241260
Schalke 042025–1617157
Total196235~29277
These statistics encompass appearances in the , , Süper Lig, , domestic cups such as the , , and , as well as European competitions including ties (as of November 2025).

International career statistics

Karius represented at youth international levels, earning 7 caps at under-21 level between 2014 and 2017, with additional limited appearances at younger levels (total youth caps approximately 12); he has no senior appearances.
LevelYearsCapsGoals ConcededClean Sheets
Youth (U16–U21)2011–2017~12Not specifiedNot specified
Senior–0––
Total~12
Youth statistics include matches at under-16, under-19, and under-21 levels, primarily in qualifiers and friendlies.

Honours

Karius has been part of successful squads as a squad member, though he did not feature in competitive matches for most titles. He contributed directly only to the runner-up finish. No individual honours or senior titles with other clubs.

  • Premier League: 2019–20 (squad member; returned from loan in May 2020, did not play).
  • runner-up: 2017–18 (starter in the final).

Beşiktaş (loan)

No team honours won.

Newcastle United

  • EFL Cup runner-up: 2022–23 (started in the final).

References

  1. https://www.transfermarkt.us/loris-karius/profil/spieler/85864
  2. https://www.lfchistory.net/players/player/profile/1305
  3. https://fbref.com/en/players/32e7ce92/Loris-Karius
  4. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36374180
  5. https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0245-0e98d7318379-716954065574-1000--madrid-beat-liverpool-to-complete-hat-trick/
  6. https://www.soccerway.com/player/karius-loris/MgWRUFHG/
  7. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/sep/12/loris-karius-returns-to-premier-league-with-newcastle
  8. https://schalke04.de/en/team/karius-contract-extension-2027/
  9. https://www.transfermarkt.us/loris-karius/nationalmannschaft/spieler/85864
  10. https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/165764/loris-karius
  11. https://www.newcastleunited.com/en/news/loris-karius-programme-interview-22-23
  12. https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/222996-in-profile-find-out-more-about-new-goalkeeper-loris-karius
  13. https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/media-watch/242706-introducing-loris-karius-how-he-became-liverpool-s-no-1
  14. https://www.bundesliga.com/en/2bundesliga/news/loris-karius-5-things-on-union-berlin-mainz-goalkeeper-13019
  15. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/mainz-signs-teenage-goalkeeper-loris-karius
  16. https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2016/05/23/liverpool-fc/650587-who-is-loris-karius-a-report-on-the-young-german-linked-with-a-liverpool-move.html
  17. https://www.transfermarkt.us/loris-karius/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/85864/saison/2013/wettbewerb/L1
  18. https://www.transfermarkt.us/loris-karius/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/85864/saison/2014/wettbewerb/L1
  19. https://www.transfermarkt.us/loris-karius/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/85864/saison/2015/wettbewerb/L1
  20. https://www.pulse.ng/articles/mainz-goalkeeper-loris-karius-signs-three-year-contract-extension-2024080110180959551
  21. https://www.transfermarkt.us/1-fsv-mainz-05/rekordabgaenge/verein/39
  22. https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/222991-liverpool-agree-deal-to-sign-loris-karius
  23. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/sep/19/keeper-loris-karius-set-for-competitive-liverpool-debut-at-derby-in-efl-cup
  24. http://www.anfield-online.co.uk/stats/2016-17/lfc-stats-2016-17.html
  25. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/10516833/liverpool-keeper-loris-karius-faces-10-weeks-out-with-broken-hand
  26. https://www.dw.com/en/loris-karius-liverpools-thick-skinned-first-choice-keeper/a-43920723
  27. https://www.transfermarkt.com/loris-karius/leistungsdaten/spieler/85864/saison/2017
  28. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/11386755/loris-karius-admits-errors-against-real-madrid-cost-liverpool-champions-league-title
  29. https://metro.co.uk/2018/05/26/karim-benzemas-goal-loris-karius-mistake-not-rules-7580771/
  30. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44268491
  31. https://www.asroma.com/en/news/41269/transfer-agreed-for-alisson-to-join-liverpool
  32. https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/313594-loris-karius-besiktas-loan
  33. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3490182/2022/06/09/liverpool-release-players-with-woodburn-origi-and-karius-leaving/
  34. https://www.transfermarkt.com/loris-karius/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/85864/verein/31
  35. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37582966/liverpool-champions-league-final-errors-led-death-threats
  36. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/aug/20/loris-karius-besiktas-liverpool-alisson
  37. https://www.transfermarkt.com/loris-karius/leistungsdaten/spieler/85864/saison/2018
  38. https://fbref.com/en/squads/0f9294bd/2018-2019/c26/Besiktas-Stats-Super-Lig
  39. https://www.transfermarkt.com/loris-karius/leistungsdaten/spieler/85864/saison/2019
  40. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52495326
  41. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37583285/liverpools-karius-terminates-loan-contract-besiktas
  42. https://www.transfermarkt.com/loris-karius/leistungsdaten/spieler/85864/saison/2020
  43. https://www.newcastleunited.com/en/news/goalkeeper-karius-joins-united-on-short-term-contract
  44. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37631884/newcastle-sign-former-liverpool-gk-loris-karius-short-term-deal
  45. https://www.newcastleunited.com/en/news/karius-extends-stay-on-tyneside
  46. https://www.newcastleunited.com/en/news/dummett-and-karius-agree-one-year-contract-extensions
  47. https://www.newcastleunited.com/en/news/dummett-and-ritchie-to-depart-as-five-players-reach-end-of-contract
  48. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/43410659/ex-liverpool-keeper-loris-karius-signs-struggling-schalke
  49. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c8d9m2m22qro
  50. https://www.bundesliga.com/en/2bundesliga/news/loris-karius-joins-schalke-former-liverpool-newcastle-goalkeeper-30354
  51. https://www.footballcritic.com/loris-karius/career-stats/12473
  52. https://bulinews.com/karius-ruled-out-for-the-season
  53. https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/new-deal-loris-karius-liverpool-goalkeeper-schalke-contract-second-tier-club/blt3235cbe6236264fa
  54. https://www.bundesliga.com/en/2bundesliga/table
  55. https://www.transfermarkt.us/karius-loris/leistungsdaten/spieler/85864
  56. https://playingfor90.com/loris-karius-returns-to-schalke-04-with-unfinished-business-and-a-career-to-save-01jhjvv99fqs
  57. https://www.transfermarkt.com/deutschland-u16/torhueterchronik/verein/17368/sort/kassierte_tore
  58. https://www.transfermarkt.co.in/karius/leistungsdaten/spieler/85864/saison/2008
  59. https://www.anfield-online.co.uk/squad/loris-karius-profile.html
  60. https://www.transfermarkt.com/loris-karius/leistungsdaten/spieler/85864/saison/
  61. https://www.transfermarkt.com/germany-u17/kader/verein/17662/saison_id/2009
  62. https://www.uefa.com/under19/news/0252-0ce245cccb15-f0bae49365b0-1000--u19-elite-round-draw-made/
  63. https://www.transfermarkt.com/spiel/index/spielbericht/1059399
  64. https://www.transfermarkt.com/loris-karius/nationalmannschaft/spieler/85864
  65. https://www.dfb.de/en/data-center/people/loris-karius/player/matches-in-competition/under-21-friendly/germany-u-21
  66. https://www.dw.com/en/the-race-to-be-manuel-neuers-understudy/a-40287544
  67. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-6536625/Gavin-Rossdales-former-girlfriend-Sophia-Thomalla-CONFIRMS-split-kisses-Loris-Karius.html
  68. https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/8089814/sophia-thomalla-loris-karius-girlfriend/
  69. https://www.the-sun.com/sport/football/premier-league/3104648/liverpool-loris-karius-kiss-mystery-woman/
  70. https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/loris-karius-liverpool-girlfriends-madeinchelsea-27070647
  71. https://www.bild.de/unterhaltung/leute/leute/bei-sophia-thomallas-ex-loris-karius-ist-wieder-schluss-die-naechste-bitte-81739148.bild.html
  72. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13563647/Newcastle-Uniteds-Loris-Karius-ties-knot-Italian-sports-presenter-Diletta-Leotta-couple-share-passionate-kiss-sweet-ceremony-Vulcano-Island-Sicily.html
  73. https://www.ilmessaggero.it/en/diletta_leotta_and_loris_karius_a_love_story_from_sicily_to_the_aisle-8201128.html
  74. https://www.the-sun.com/sport/11714475/loris-karius-wedding-dazn-presenter-diletta-leotta/
  75. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-12435887/Newcastle-United-goalkeeper-Loris-Karius-girlfriend-Diletta-Leotta-newborn-daughter-Aria-home-leave-hospital-welcoming-child.html
  76. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14317077/Loris-Karius-wife-Schalke-Diletta-Leotta-Milan.html
  77. https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/36026238/loris-karius-diletta-leotta-liverpool/
  78. https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6ecnjf
  79. https://www.whoscored.com/Players/107176/Show/Loris-Karius
  80. https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/premier-league--loris-karius-background-and-play-style-130308404.html
  81. https://www.thisisanfield.com/2016/05/loris-karius-scouting-german-goalkeeper-set-join-liverpool/
  82. https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-transfer-news/2016/5/24/11749994/liverpool-transfer-scouting-loris-karius-mainz-german-goalkeeper-release-clause
  83. https://www.theanfieldwrap.com/2018/05/liverpools-loss-to-real-madrid-loris-karius-jurgen-klopp-and-a-bit-of-perspective/
  84. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/370242/2018/05/27/understanding-loris-karius-mistakes-in-the-champions-league-final/
  85. https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/the-newcastle-united-player-whos-made-big-improvements-behind-scenes-and-is-set-for-a-new-deal-3950244
  86. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2735436-peter-schmeichel-says-liverpools-loris-karius-just-behind-manuel-neuer
  87. https://metro.co.uk/2016/05/24/only-bayern-stopper-manuel-neuer-ranked-higher-than-liverpool-bound-loris-karius-5901212/
  88. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/feb/24/loris-karius-newcastle-carabao-cup-final
  89. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10848583/Loris-Karius-Liverpool-career-ended-Real-Madrid-2018-Champions-League-final.html
  90. https://www.football365.com/news/reappraising-loris-karius-2018-champions-league-final-disasterclass
  91. https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/loris-karius-now-liverpool-real-26882101
  92. https://en.as.com/en/2020/04/15/soccer/1586957633_755751.html
  93. https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ex-liverpool-goalkeeper-loris-karius-flirty-messages-exposed-by-turkish-women-136577
  94. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2801633-loris-karius-reportedly-set-to-be-dropped-by-besiktas-amid-social-media-scrutiny
  95. https://www.thisisanfield.com/2025/06/loris-karius-career-renaissance-continues-with-new-contract-in-germany/
  96. https://www.bundesliga.com/en/2bundesliga/news/second-division-2025-26-players-to-watch-karius-machino-kania-32715
  97. https://www.hitc.com/liverpool-fans-react-on-twitter-to-loris-karius-concussion-revel/
  98. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2822637/2021/09/15/loris-karius-dogged-by-misfortune-or-his-own-worst-enemy/
  99. https://www.transfermarkt.us/loris-karius/leistungsdaten/spieler/85864
  100. https://www.transfermarkt.us/loris-karius/erfolge/spieler/85864
  101. https://www.transfermarkt.us/liverpool-fc/kader/verein/31/saison_id/2019
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