Ex-Manchester United star Gary Neville has admitted he was left red faced after meeting Loris Karius months after criticizing him.

The 31-year-old German goalkeeper spent six years in total at Liverpool, making 49 appearances during his time at Anfield. He was heavily involved during Liverpool 2017/18 campaign which saw the Reds finish in the top four as well as reaching the Champions League final in Kyiv, which they lost to Real Madrid.

During the final, Karius made two mistakes which cost Liverpool dearly, gifting Karim Benzema a goal after errantly trying to roll the ball out from the back, with the French striker sticking out his leg to divert the ball into the Reds net. While Liverpool equalized on 55 minutes through Sadio Mane, Gareth Bale then came on off the bench to end Liverpool's Champions League dreams, scoring a stunning overhead kick, before adding a second himself after his shot from distance squirmed past the German's arms.

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Both mistakes were howlers, but it was later found Karius was by Sergio Ramos moments before Real Madrid's opener. After the game, there was much conversation about how Karius was not good enough for Liverpool if they wanted to kick on and win trophies under Jurgen Klopp - which was evident given they went out and spent big on signing Alisson the following season, and managed to challenge for the Premier League whilst also winning the Champions League.

And speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, Neville admitted that after having previously criticized Karius following his high profiled error, he bumped into him in an Italian hotel, with the interaction with the ex-Liverpool goalkeeper leaving the former Man United defender to think about what he had said.

Neville said: "[Loris] Karius, the Liverpool goalkeeper, the young lad – I’ve been quite direct about him for a period of two to three months. Liverpool were getting better under Jürgen Klopp and I remember saying that they’ll never ever win the league with that guy [Karius] in the net. It’s a strong line for a young goalkeeper. It was probably true five months later back in the Champions League final.

"One time I went to Italy and went to a hotel. I walked into the gym for a session and there was just this big bloke lifting massive weights – it was Karius! He could have done many things there and could have had a go at me. It went right through my head on what I said about him, and I know he would’ve known that. But he said, ‘Nice to see you’ and I felt guilty bumping into someone I’ve given a harsh line to."

Liverpool.com says: "It's a balancing act when it comes to criticizm. Neville wasn't wrong that Karius wasn't good enough for Liverpool - he wasn't. Liverpool clearly agreed with him by going out and signing Alisson. But sometimes criticizm can veer into a personal attack. Credit to Neville for acknowledging and realising this and also credit to Karius for not holding it against the ex-United defender when they met."