Loris Karius came close to retiring at 25 after the way his Liverpool spell ended, but he has rebuilt his standing step by step.

Over the last couple of years, Loris Karius has been putting together one of European football’s most satisfying comeback stories.

In recent weeks, the German goalkeeper has turned in a series of outstanding displays for newly-promoted Bundesliga club Schalke 04.

The 33-year-old has collected Man of the Match honours lately, firmly establishing himself as Schalke’s last line of defence in their first season back in the top flight since 2022/23.

Karius was reportedly superb in last weekend’s 3-1 win over Union Berlin, making seven vital saves — including a brilliant point-blank reaction stop deep into second-half stoppage time — to make sure Schalke took all three points.

That showing followed an equally impressive performance against champions Bayern Munich, when Karius made three excellent saves to earn a 0-0 draw and keep a clean sheet.

It represents a remarkable return to the top level for a player whose career once appeared likely to remain forever defined by the manner of his Liverpool exit.

After two high-profile mistakes in the 2018 UEFA Champions League Final against Real Madrid — errors that were later revealed to have come while Karius was playing with a concussion — the German goalkeeper came under intense media scrutiny.

Karius recently spoke about the mental health impact of that period, admitting he had reached "rock bottom" and even thought about leaving the game entirely.

"I thought about ending my career: I was only 25," Karius said in a candid interview. "I no longer wanted to train, no longer wanted to play."

Following his departure from Anfield, loan spells with Besiktas and Union Berlin, and a fringe spell as a back-up goalkeeper at Newcastle United, Karius joined Schalke in an effort to force his way back into regular first-team football.

That persistence is now bringing rewards, with Karius having gone from a forgotten figure to one of Germany’s most in-form shot-stoppers.

His performances have even sparked talk of a possible international recall. With legendary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer retired from international football and Germany currently lacking a strong pool of elite, in-form options, the idea of Karius playing his way back into national-team contention no longer seems far-fetched.

If he continues on this path at Schalke, one of football’s finest redemption stories could yet extend to the international stage.