From the Champions League final to being thrust on the scrapheap in the space of four years - Loris Karius' career has been one of extreme highs and punishing lows. The former Liverpool stopper has endured every footballer's worst nightmare in recent years after one disastrous 90 minutes of football.
Jurgen Klopp opted to pick the 29-year-old stopper in between the sticks as Liverpool faced Real Madrid in the 2018 Champions League final, with the German goalkeeper enduring the worst night of his career in the process.
From handing Karim Benzema the easiest of goals with a poorly-judged throw, to dropping Gareth Bale's long-range effort into his own goal, Karius' tears were on display for everyone to see inside the Olimpiyskiy Stadium after the full-time whistle and Liverpool's 3-1 defeat.
READ MORE: Loris Karius' fitness message after leaving Liverpool as Newcastle United eye emergency deal
Fast forward four years and Karius never regained his starting role on Merseyside, was shipped out on loan twice and eventually released by Liverpool without a proper send off. Newcastle United are the club who have offered him a lifeline.
Karius is being signed as an emergency option and nothing more. Karl Darlow's injury this week made it imperative the Magpies brought in another stopper, with Martin Dubravka's Manchester United loan deal leaving Eddie Howe short in that department.
The form of Nick Pope means Karius may not ever get anywhere near the first-team at St James' Park during his short-term stint. However, Howe's track record with other Newcastle stars may revitalise the former Mainz man's career going forward.
The Newcastle boss has history when it comes to transforming the careers of unconvincing and demoralised players. Joelinton's move from attack to midfield provided the Magpies with a new fan-favourite, while Emil Krafth saved his career on Tyneside after excelling under the boss' leadership.
Howe ensures each and every player gets a special mention during press conferences and as a rule will always publicly back his players when they are underperforming. Miguel Almiron, Jamaal Lascelles and Allan Saint-Maximin are all players who have been questioned at times, with the Newcastle manager championing them at every turn.
“He makes you believe in yourself and in him,” Marvin Bartley, who played under Howe at Bournemouth and Burnley, told the Guardian. “We were almost like robots; we believed in him so much, we respected him so much.
"Anything that he said went. If he said you have to run 10 miles before you train, we would do it without question. When he went to Burnley, they had just been relegated and there were a lot of players that thought they knew better.”
Karius is delighted to be back in club football. Earlier this summer he announced he was relishing a new challenge and a fresh start at the age of 29.
The feel-good factor currently on display at Newcastle can provide the perfect environment for Karius to refind the form and confidence that made him a Champions League final starter only a matter of years ago.
READ NEXT
Lucas Paqueta transfer intermediary reveals Newcastle truth after West Ham put 'hard cash down'
Eddie Howe's 'frightening' £78m plan Newcastle supporters will love
Newcastle want Spanish speaker in fast as club launch search for elite addition to help players
Newcastle stadium change Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal will hate as Palace show class
Eddie Howe reveals what he had to do after Liverpool pain as Newcastle get training ground break
