John Barnes: Why Liverpool fans will forgive Loris Karius

Loris Karius apologised to Liverpool fans after his errors cost Liverpool the Champions League final against Real Madrid and one Kop legend say fans will help save his career.

John Barnes believes the club’s supporters will forgive goalkeeper Loris Karius for his Champions League final horror show against Real Madrid, if manager Jurgen Klopp calls on the Anfield faithful to get behind the German stopper at the start of next season.

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A tearful Karius said sorry to Liverpool fans after his two glaring mistakes handed Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale goals that decided last month’s final in Kiev, with most observers believing the German keeper could not come back from such high-profile errors and continue his career at the club.

Yet Barnes has insisted the devotion Liverpool fans have towards Klopp will ensure they get behind Karius if he is given a chance to redeem himself as the club’s No.1 keeper next season.

“What Liverpool fans do is they trust Jurgen Klopp in whatever he says and if this manager decides to pick Karius next season, he will be supported because we believe this manager and will back him,” stated Barnes, speaking on his live theatre tour alongside Jan Molby and Neil Ruddock.

“The feeling all Liverpool fans have towards Klopp. If this manager wanted to pick Mickey Mouse to play in his team, the supporters would get behind him because that is how much support and respect he has at the club. We all love Jurgen Klopp that much.

“The concern for me will be Karius’ mental state and whether he can bounce back from what happened in the final. His strength of character would be a worry for me and I don’t know if he can deal with what happened in such a big game.

“I played in a Liverpool team with Bruce Grobbelaar in goal and he made mistakes all the time and it didn’t seem to affect him. Will Karius be as strong after what has happened, especially if he makes one or to mistakes this season.

“That is why I think he needs to go out and get himself a No.1 keeper and if it means spending £60m or £70m to get the right man, it could be the most important signing of the summer for Liverpool. I think he will make that signing, but it also wouldn’t surprise me if he does what he has done in the past and show loyalty to Karius.”

Barnes believes Liverpool should take comfort from the progress made at the club in recent months, with the pain of the Champions League final defeat now subsiding.

“If you look at the season objectively and look at the season we have had, it was successful,” added Barnes. “Manchester City were incredible and no one came close to matching them, but we had a top four finish and got to the Champions League final, so that was good.

“The adventure, the flair and dynamism we have shown all season and then throw in the players signed this summer in Fabinho and Naby Keita, then we are best placed to challenge Manchester City for the title next season. Liverpool might not be champions a year from now, but I would expect them to finish second next season.”

John Barnes was speaking on his live theatre tour and there are still some tickets available for the remaining dates HERE.