"Loris Karius has blown it tonight for Liverpool" - such was the estimation of the Liverpool goalkeeper from RTÉ's Jim Beglin tonight.
After progressively improving performances this season, the German keeper had appeared to validate Jurgen Klopp's faith in him; a fact demonstrated by his ability to keep Simon Mignolet out of the Liverpool team and secure the #1 spot as his own.
However, on this, the biggest night of his career, Karius came up incredibly short.
In a 3-1 defeat, Karius was at direct fault for two of the goals decided; Gareth Bale's bicycle-kick reduced him to the role of spectator from which we all looked on.
Yet, after a disastrous mistake to allow Karim Benzema in, Karius then pushed a long-range Bale effort into his own net.
Amid a fury of angry, sorrowful and pitying tweets, this Champions League final, irrespective of Bale's magic first, will go down as the one Karius threw away.
Karius can’t recover from tonight for #LFC. Too big an occasion. There’ll be no trust in him from the fans. Money will need to be spent.
— Jim Boardman (@JimBoardman) May 26, 2018
Gerrard obviously told Karius “not to let it slip” last night
— Saint Raymond (@Callum_SR) May 26, 2018
I feel bad for Karius — he’s gonna get a lot of mean tweets, and even worse, he’ll be unable to block them.
— Dan Diamond (@ddiamond) May 26, 2018
Maybe it’s the day that’s in it, but my heart goes out to him.#Karius #Compassion #together4YES
— chris o'dowd (@BigBoyler) May 26, 2018
Well done Madrid but hope Karius gets some support. A nightmare night for him and those close to him. Yes Liverpool might need a new keeper but he will be devastated.
— Darren Lewis (@MirrorDarren) May 26, 2018
No Liverpool player going over to Karius. Jesus. He's done.
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) May 26, 2018
I feel for Liverpool. To be cursed by Salah’s injury and Karius’s lack of an injury is cruel
— Greg Jenner (@greg_jenner) May 26, 2018
Someone give Karius a hug
— Harry (@wroetoshaw) May 26, 2018
Karius has had an absolute Nightmare #Spewing
— Mick Quinn (@mickquinn1089) May 26, 2018
