Loris Karius: Merseyside Police aware of death threats made against Liverpool goalkeeper for Real Madrid mistakes
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Merseyside Police has confirmed it is aware of death threats made to Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius in the wake of the club’s 3-1 Champions League final defeat by Real Madrid.
Karius, 24, and his family have been the subject of threats after he made two errors in the final against Real, effectively costing Liverpool the game.
The Spanish side’s first goal came when Karim Benzema charged down an attempted throw by Karius, and the goalkeeper then allowed a tame long-range Gareth Bale shot to slip through his grasp for the third.
“We take social media posts of this nature extremely seriously. Offences will be investigated,” the police said in a short statement.
“Officers are aware of a number of comments and threats made via social media.
“Merseyside Police would like to remind social media users than any offences including malicious communications and threatening behaviour will be investigated.”
Karius said he is “infinitely sorry” for the two costly mistakes and admitted on Sunday that he is struggling to sleep.
He tweeted on Sunday afternoon: “Haven't really slept until now... the scenes are still running through my head again and again... I'm infinitely sorry to my teammates, for you fans, and for all the staff. I know that I messed it up with the two mistakes and let you all down...
“As I said I'd just like to turn back the time but that's not possible. It's even worse as we all felt that we could have beaten Real Madrid and we were in the game for a long time...
“Thank you to our unbelievable fans who came to Kiev and held my back, even after the game. I don't take that for granted and once again it showed me what a big family we are. Thank you and we will come back stronger.”
Karius had earlier told talkSPORT: “I lost my team the game.
“I'm sorry for everyone - from the team, from the whole club - that the mistakes cost dearly.
“If I could go back in time, I would. I feel sorry for my team. I know I let them down.
“It's very hard right now but that's the life of a goalkeeper. These goals cost us the title, basically.”
Karius, who has not been selected to represent Germany at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, will benefit from the post-season break as he seeks to come to terms with his errors, according to leading psychologist Professor Cary Cooper.
Cooper, professor of psychology and health at Manchester Business School, told the BBC: “The only way he can get over this is by putting it behind him and carrying on.
“He made a couple of big mistakes but he has got to see that as irrelevant now, otherwise his career's over.
“It is all about the bounce-back factor. The really successful people in sport as in business are the ones with the biggest bounce-back factor, because everybody makes mistakes along the way.
“I'm not saying this won't adversely affect his self-confidence for a little while, but he is fortunate there is a gap now before he has to play again, and he can come back with a clean slate.”
Read more coverage on the Champions League final:
- Miguel Delaney: The definitive read from an enthralling night
- Jonathan Liew: The emptiness of the biggest stage
- Ed Malyon: Why relentless Real make their own luck
- Mark Critchley: Salah's early exit cripples Liverpool
- Explained: Salah's injury and his chances of playing in Russia
- Man marking: We run the rule over both teams in Kiev
- Transfer talk #1: Ronaldo opens the door to shock exit
- Transfer talk #2: Bale issues come and get me plea