Loris Karius has opened up on the torment and aftermath of his painful Liverpool exit - but insists he is now ready to make new memories with Newcastle United.
A tattoo on his neck reads: "Fearless" and the 6ft 2in stopper - once on the books of Man City as a kid - is now ready to throw his body on the line for the black and white cause. As United aim big and talk about Europe next season, Karius could figure prominently moving forward.
With the Magpies on an upward trajectory, the 29-year-old has plenty of time remaining in his career to not only feature in the Premier League again but also perhaps step on to the same Champions League stage that once had a detrimental impact on his Liverpool career. Karius admits he is "tired" of talking about the 2018 European Cup final which included two moments that let Real Madrid secure the trophy.
READ MORE: Newcastle United stance on Eddie Howe England links with 'protection plan' already in place
Five days later in Boston, Massachusetts, it was medically proved that Karius had been allowed to play on with a concussion after an ugly incident involving Sergio Ramos. At the time NFL head injury expert Dr Ross Zafonte stated the incident "would affect performance."
But for Karius, it sparked a chain of events that saw Liverpool sign Brazil international Allison and led to moves to Besiktas and Union Berlin. Now though Karius is back in the Premier League in a Newcastle shirt and loving life on Tyneside with a new deal being prepared to extend his stay.
The subject of that fateful night in Kiev won't go away and in a Press huddle in the bowels of the Prince Faisal Bin Fahad Bin Abdulaziz Stadium, Karius talks openly about the moment he describes as a setback on a fateful night in Kiev playing in the Euro showpiece.
Karius, who was handed the No 1 shirt at Anfield when he signed in 2016 from Mainz 05, said: "It made me go to another club. It was maybe a move that wouldn't have happened otherwise.
"It was a late (taking four years) move but I don't know. My time at Liverpool was over after that and I was looking to move on and then there was difficulties to get the transfer done.
"I found myself in a situation where I had to stay at Liverpool knowing I wouldn't get my chance. It was discussed openly with the manager. There's no bad blood but knowing the situation from the beginning was tough."
Klopp has always backed his keeper and said only in June: "Karius had a concussion. It was proven afterwards. Nobody talks about that."
For Karius the time has come to move on from talk of Liverpool. The Biberach-born stopper said: "I have said everything about this. For me, it is tiring to keep talking about it, it's football and things happen. In my case, there were a lot of unfortunate things. But I don't think about it anymore, four years in football feels like eight or 12!
"I was out of the spotlight in Turkey. So yeah of course I haven't been in England and have been in Germany. People know me in England. I am ready, I needed to train and needed time to adapt.
"I was training for three months alone. I am now really pleased with the training and know now I can do it in the match moving forward."
The move to Newcastle saw Eddie Howe jump at the chance to sign the former Germany Under-21 keeper. And in the 20 degree heat of Riyadh last week it was easy to see why as Karius pulled off save after save. "Obviously the last few seasons have been a setback for me, it has not been easy at times," he added.
"I have tried to keep myself fit in training and push myself. Today was just a friendly match but for me it was a great feeling to get a start again. It felt competitive with a nice crowd.
"It was good and it felt like my first game. I am pleased with how it went and it was very positive. I know how good I am in training. "So it is just bringing your training to the game again.
"But I have got a lot of experience so I had a good feeling going into the match. Of course, you are a bit nervous but it was a good feeling leading up to the game. I felt confident and was pleased with my reactions."
Karius may now have his eye on the League Cup last 16 tie against Bournemouth. Howe is certainly prepping the German keeper in the event Nick Pope does not play after the World Cup. Karius, who could also play against Rayo Vallecano, is delighted to be back in the groove:
"Last season being left out of match day squad, you lose a bit of the feeling you have when you win, lose and travel with the team," he continued. "You just miss it. "It's then not easy to stay positive and keep working.
"You obviously know you are not going to be involved. I learned a lot from that and tried my best in training and keeping myself positive on the mental side."
His last outing before the clash against Al-Hilal saw him play in a 1-1 draw against Hoffenheim for Union Berlin in February 2021. Now he is keen to get going again. "I've played over 200 games in the first division and national teams so I knew my qualities," Karius continued.
"I knew I had plenty to offer. "I am only turning 30 and that's not old for a keeper. But of course last season was difficult."
Now, Karius is eyeing that contract extension with Newcastle. He reflected: "I spoke with them a little bit. "We didn’t go into too much detail yet, because we had the break after.
"We’ll speak in the next (few) weeks now, probably. It’s not much time left. Yeah, like I said, it’s been a great few months. Of course, I don’t play yet, but how I’ve been training, and how I was welcomed by the whole group makes me believe I can achieve more things here. That’s my aim, to be here for a long project instead of a short one."
READ NEXT
Newcastle owners are about to see something special as 'extremely busy' stadium message sent
Bruno Guimaraes' emotional words will reassure Newcastle as wounded animal set to be unleashed
Newcastle's secret manager meeting and the unthinkable Alan Shearer talks
Kieran Trippier's response after Pickford tried to embarrass Newcastle star in front of Beckham
Newcastle unearth talents who all have got 'something to offer' including exciting 16-year-old
