How Loris Karius could fare in Newcastle’s biggest game this century

Player Analysis
Written By Josh Purvis

Karius’ last competitive appearance for an English club was the 2018 Champions League final, in which he made two vital errors as Liverpool lost 3-1

The last memory of Loris Karius, in the minds of many, is the German leaving the pitch in tears after making two crucial errors in the 2018 Champions League final against Real Madrid, as Liverpool suffered a 3-1 defeat.

However he now has a chance to rewrite his legacy as, after an incredibly unlikely turn of events, he is set to start for Newcastle in their first major final in 24 years as they face Manchester United on Sunday 26th February.

Whilst at Liverpool he made 29 Premier League appearances, conceding 26 goals and keeping 13 clean sheets. He also produced a 69.5% save percentage and 66.1% pass completion over his two years on Merseyside.

Karius spent two years at Liverpool fighting for the number one spot with Simon Mignolet.

Karius’ best season was the 2017/18 campaign, in which Liverpool finished fourth in the Premier League and runners up to Real Madrid in that infamous Champions League final. 

In that Premier League season, he had a 52.6% clean sheet percentage as he kept 10 clean sheets in his 19 games. This is a slightly higher percentage than Nick Pope during the current 2022/23 season, as his clean sheet percentage currently stands at 52.2% after keeping 12 clean sheets out of 23 games.

The two ‘keepers have faired very similarly in their respective seasons.

However, the argument could be made that Karius had a higher quality defence in front of him that season, consisting of players like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil Van Dijk, Joel Matip and Andy Robertson. Therefore it would be expected that his defensive numbers would be higher than Pope’s.

Taking this into account, we can also look at the similarities in their ability to sweep and leave their box when it’s necessary. The similarity can be made as the current Newcastle side and the Liverpool side of 17/18 both play a high defensive line, which requires a goalkeeper with the ability to comfortably sweep behind them.

This area is one in which Pope excels in and is a key reason Eddie Howe wanted to sign him in the summer as he allows the high line, a fundamental to Howe’s system, to be successfully implemented.

So far this Premier League season, Pope ranks highest out of every goalkeeper for number of defensive actions outside of the penalty box per 90 minutes, averaging 2.34. In the 17/18 Premier League season, Karius’ average of 1.74 is less than Pope’s, however he still ranks in fourth and it is a strong aspect of his game.

Pope’s sweeping ability was big factor for Howe’s interest in him, as shown by this season’s stats.

Karius ranked in fourth, behind fellow Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet in third, emphasising the style of play required by their goalkeeper.

The German ranked in second, only behind Ederson, for average distance from goal of all defensive actions, as he averaged 17.5 yards over the 17/18 campaign. Pope also ranks second, behind Karius’ replacement Alisson, in the same stat averaging slightly higher at 19.3 yards from goal.

Only Alisson, widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in the league, in ahead of Pope.

Similarly, only Ederson, who helped revolutionise the role of the modern goalkeeper, was ahead of Karius that season.

Both are fully able to effectively play as a sweeper keeper and not afraid to leave their line when called upon.

No matter what has happened previously in his career, Karius has the chance to solidify himself a place in Newcastle United history on Sunday by helping the club win their first major trophy for 54 years and complete the redemption arc that no one could’ve ever expected.

HOWAY THE LADS!

Josh Purvis
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