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Jurgen Klopp's new Germany: Door opened for one of Liverpool's worst-ever signings
Updated: 24 Jul 2026 19:33 BST |
6 min read
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Loris Karius has enjoyed a remarkable career renaissance at Schalke 04, and the appointment of former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has him dreaming of a Germany call-up.
The rise and fall of the 33-year-old mirrored that of German football at large. Karius was on top of the world in the mid-2010s after establishing himself at Mainz, but it all came crashing down at Liverpool.
Signed as an upgrade on Simon Mignolet in 2016, Karius failed to cope with the pressure of playing for the Premier League giants. His career hit its devastating nadir in the 2018 Champions League final when he was at fault for two of Real Madrid's goals in a 3-1 defeat.
Current ETV
Loris Karius
GK
Schalke 04
Loris Karius
GK
Schalke 04
ETV Range
€0.4M - €0.5M
It later emerged that Karius was apparently concussed during the match, but the damage had already been done. His Liverpool career effectively ended on that fateful night in Kyiv.
Unsuccessful spells at Besiktas, Union Berlin and Newcastle followed, but Karius failed to lift his career out of the doldrums. In early 2025, however, everything changed when he dropped down to the 2. Bundesliga and joined fallen giants Schalke 04.
Karius gunning for Germany debut
Having spent six months without a club, Karius needed a few weeks to get back up to speed, but once he managed to get into the team, he never looked back. He nailed down a starting spot and didn't put a foot wrong as Schalke avoided relegation to the third tier.
He extended his short-term contract until 2028 last summer and was the undisputed No.1 for former Plymouth boss Miron Muslic, who took charge of the team with the mission of getting them back into the Bundesliga.
That is exactly what he did - and much faster than anyone could have anticipated. Schalke comfortably won the 2. Bundesliga last term, with Karius playing a crucial role. He made the odd mistake, but this is natural for a goalkeeper.
He has put his horror spell at Liverpool firmly behind him and, at 33, Karius is now a genuine Bundesliga starter for the first time in over a decade. The timing of his renaissance could hardly have been any better.
Like Karius' career, the German national team is hoping to get back on an upward trajectory after a decade spent in the gutter. The goalkeeper's former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was officially unveiled as the new Bundestrainer on Friday morning.
The 59-year-old is being hailed as Germany's messiah. It has been suggested that there hasn't been this much hype for a national team manager in the DFB's history, but people have short memories.
The same was being said when Julian Nagelsmann got the job in 2023, and everyone saw how that ended. The German national team program needs a complete overhaul. Klopp knows that, and he reportedly has the power - and desire - to effect far-reaching changes.
One major area of concern for Germany is the goalkeeper position. Julian Nagelsmann made the bizarre decision to bring Manuel Neuer back into the fold for the World Cup, which completely backfired.
The 40-year-old has now retired again, leaving behind a sizeable vacuum. Oliver Baumann, who was supposed to be Germany's No.1 at the World Cup, is 36 and his window of opportunity has surely closed now (or, rather, has been taken from him).
Could Karius become an option for Germany? He certainly thinks so. Speaking to WAZ, the 33-year-old said: "I don't know what he's planning. But I'm playing for Schalke in the Bundesliga now - the conditions aren't bad. If I deliver top performances, I might become a candidate."
Karius believes that he has another World Cup cycle in him. "If I can still play at a top level for another five years, I will do so," he insisted.
Karius for Germany: Pipedream or realistic scenario?
Karius isn't just fantasising with his comments. During his unveiling on Friday, Klopp made sure to emphasise that players who are not currently in the national team picture will get a chance if they show the necessary commitment and quality.
"The ones who will play are the ones who are good enough. The ones who are hungry. The ones who become even better when they put on the Germany shirt," Klopp said.
"It’s not enough for players to say they’re proud to represent Germany. They have to show it. Everyone who is eligible to play for Germany should make an effort. I’ll be watching them. My door is open. Today is a fresh start."
With Neuer having retired and Baumann likely being too old for a full World Cup cycle, the next man up for Germany is Alexander Nubel, who has just signed for Besiktas after spending three years on loan at Stuttgart from Bayern.
Nubel was very impressive at Stuttgart and is only 29, suggesting that he could become Germany's new long-term No.1. However, he has moved out of the spotlight a bit by relocating to Turkey.
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, for a long time the heir apparent to Neuer, could be another option for the No.1 shirt - if he can stay fit. The 34-year-old lost his starting spot due to repeated injuries. He is in talks over a move to Ajax after being replaced at Barcelona.
24-year-old Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu has yet to make his Germany debut. He is set to move to the Premier League this summer, which could be the best way to enter Klopp's thinking.
However, Atubolu has not quite kicked on as expected. While there are very impressive parts of his game, his decision-making and shot-stopping often leave a lot to be desired or simply look very clumsy.
Bayern starlet Jonas Urbig should perhaps be Germany's long-term starting goalkeeper purely based on talent and potential. However, because Neuer is still playing, the 22-year-old has yet to nail down a regular starting spot at club level and thus been unable to refine his game.
Stuttgart goalkeepers Denis Seimen (20) and Florian Hellstern (18, loaned to Greuther Furth) are regarded as huge talents, but it remains to be seen if they develop as expected.
Evidently, if everything falls into place, there is a fairly realistic chance to see Karius in a Germany team in the future, perhaps not as a starter but certainly as a backup option.
It may seem like a pipedream now, but the 33-year-old has already defied the odds by reviving his career. A Germany call-up would be the culmination of a remarkable comeback.
