Liverpool Loris Karius faced death threats and wanted to quit at 25
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius, now 33 and playing for Schalke 04, revealed that he and his family received death threats that led him to consider quitting football when he was 25. Police were deployed to guard his house around the clock, a stark reminder of the abuse that can follow a high‑profile mistake. The revelations come as Karius rebuilds his career after a turbulent spell away from the Merseysiders.
From Champions League heartbreak to police protection
Karius rose to prominence after replacing Simon Mignolet and reaching the 2018 Champions League final with Liverpool. A costly error against Real Madrid in Kyiv, where his spill resulted in Karim Benzema’s goal, marked the turning point of his Liverpool tenure. Subsequent loan moves to Beşiktaş and Union Berlin preceded his release in 2022, leaving his future in doubt.
Speaking to Welt.de in 2026, Karius described the period after the final as a steep decline: “Up until that point, my career had been on a steep upward trajectory, then I suddenly crashed – all the way to rock bottom.” He added that, in his mid‑20s, he “lost my love for football” and felt “empty”, even contemplating ending his career.
In a recent interview with Sport Witness, Karius confirmed the threats were real: “I didn’t read the threats, but there were death threats against me and my family. The police took them seriously enough to stand guard at my place 24 hours a day.” He said the constant presence of officers was “not exactly a great feeling”.
Karius’s wife, former presenter Diletta Leotta, corroborated that he seriously thought about walking away from the sport. The couple’s resolve paid off as Karius helped Schalke 04 secure promotion back to the Bundesliga earlier this year, restoring his confidence and form.
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