Loris Karius has been backed for a first senior Germany call-up after a Man of the Match display for Schalke against Bayern Munich.
The former Liverpool goalkeeper was in stunning form in the 0-0 draw, making three world class saves to end Bayern’s 59-game scoring streak.
The newly-promoted side depended on Karius to get promoted last season, and are again leaning on him, and there’s no reason why Jurgen Klopp and Germany shouldn’t.
Neuer and Matthaus praise Karius
Praised by former Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, the Bayern shot-stopper said post-match: “We had three clear-cut chances, which he thwarted. That was the key to why we didn’t win the game.”
Sky pundit Lothar Matthaus added: “He fully deserves it, not just because of his two world-class saves. Also because of the calm he exuded.
“The players of FC Schalke 04 have confidence in him. And that’s important, because then he can give something extra to the team.”
Karius to Germany?
Asked about a potential first Germany call up, he continued: “Performances like today’s naturally help to open the door wider.
“As far as I know, Loris Karius has a German passport. And anyone who has a German passport…”
“If someone plays like Karius did today and continues to play like this for a few more games, then he automatically moves into the spotlight.”
His coach, Miron Muslic, wasn’t at all surprised.
“That’s Loris, and I expected nothing less from him,” he said.
“He’s been performing at an extremely high level from day one. We’ll need him like this for the next ten months.”
But for Karius himself, he was keen to pass the praise onto his teammates.
“What the lads accomplished there, hats off to them,” he said. “They made it so difficult for Bayern.
“The lads worked themselves to the bone. Huge praise for every single one of them, everyone can be proud of their performance today.”
The only issue for Karius is that his last performance under Klopp came with a horror-show for Liverpool in the 2022 Champions League final.
However, Neuer has retired after the 2026 World Cup, and the spot is up for grabs.
Karius is in a group with Oliver Baumann, Marc-André ter Stegen, Alexander Nübel, Jonas Urbig and Noah Atubolu, but none of them have made an outstanding case.
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