Former Liverpool player Loris Karius finally closes in on new club after six months as free agent

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Liverpool sprang a slight surprise on Wednesday night in the goalkeeping department, with Alisson Becker preferred over Caoimhin Kelleher.

Whether it’s Alisson, Kelleher or even third choice Vitezslav Jaros, though, the Reds are very well-stocked in terms of shot-stoppers.

Giorgi Mamardashvili’s impending arrival will only add to the goalkeeping riches already in the Liverpool squad.

It is a far cry from the pre-Alisson days at Anfield, where Jurgen Klopp was regularly rotating between Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet.

Karius eventually left Liverpool in 2022, four years on from his final appearance for the Reds.

Having then joined Newcastle, the German played just twice for the Magpies before leaving last summer. And after spending the first-half of the new season without a club, Karius is now finally closing in on securing a transfer.

Loris Karius close to joining Schalke

Having been out on a series of loans since his blunderous Champions League final appearance in 2018, Karius has admitted he regrets leaving Liverpool when he did.

Had the 31-year-old stuck around, perhaps he could have rebuilt his career quietly while acting as number two to Alisson.

Instead, his time at Besiktas and then Union Berlin only underlined the damage those mistakes against Real Madrid made to his confidence.

Nevertheless, Karius can only now look forward and according to Sky Germany, he is on the verge of joining Bundesliga 2 side Schalke.

READ MORE: Gary Neville reveals what happened when he met former Liverpool goalie Loris Karius after publicly criticising him

They claim that the former Reds is in ‘advanced talks’ to sign for the Royal Blues as a free agent.

Providing some more information, Sky journalist Florian Plettenberg has reported that Karius will join Schalke to play as their second choice goalkeeper.

Still time for Karius to get back on track

It has been a tough few years for Karius. The former Mainz goalie will forever be remembered for his turn during that ill-fated final in Kyiv.

Nevertheless, at 31, he is still relatively young for a goalkeeper.

It is not a great look joining a second division side as back-up, but perhaps over time Karius can establish himself at Schalke.

Despite their current struggles they continue to be one of the biggest clubs in Germany. Taking the No.1 shirt in Gelsenkirchen would still be a big thing.

Either way, it’s nice to see that Karius has found his way back into football. All the best, Loris.