Former Liverpool ‘keeper set for immediate Premier League return

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius is in line for a Premier League return just weeks after leaving the Merseyside club. 

According to Sky Sports’ Keith Downie, the German is in advanced talks with Newcastle United over a move to St. James’ Park.

The report claims that The Magpies are in need of a goalkeeper after Karl Darlow sustained a serious ankle injury in training on Wednesday.

Karius, 29, joined The Reds from German side Mainz in 2016 and became Liverpool’s first choice goalkeeper midway through the 2017/18 campaign.

The former Manchester City academy player’s season ended in disaster, though, as he was at fault for two of Real Madrid’s goals as the Spanish side beat Liverpool 3-1 in the Champions League final.

That summer, Jurgen Klopp moved to sign Alisson from Roma, and Karius was sent on loan to Turkish Super Lig side Besiktas, signing a two-year loan deal.

Karius let in two soft goals during the 2018 Champions League final

The former Germany youth international never made another appearance for Liverpool, and after almost two years in Turkey he terminated his contract with Besiktas in May 2020, claiming that the club had failed to pay his wages in full, The Daily Mail claims.

The ‘keeper then joined German side Union Berlin on loan in September 2020, but his stint in the Bundesliga was largely unsuccessful, with the player making just five appearances before returning to his parent club.

Karius returned to Anfield last summer but didn’t play a single minute of football last term, and subsequently left the club at the end of his contract in July this year.

In total, Karius kept 22 clean sheets in 49 matches for Liverpool.

Now, though, he appears to be on his way back to the Premier League, with Newcastle boss Eddie Howe keen to source a replacement for Darlow.

The Magpies loaned Martin Dubravka to Manchester United in the final days of the transfer window, leaving Darlow as the club’s only deputy for first choice goalkeeper Nick Pope.