Loris Karius has been in the eye of the storm ever since the Champions League final with many criticising his performance after his two errors more or less cost the Reds the game.
He has been vilified and even his family threatened by some supporters and he has even been written off by some pundits who say his performance is potentially career-ending.
But according to tests carried out by the Massachusetts General Hospital, it seems the keeper suffered a concussion during the game and was therefore slightly impaired.
“On May 31, 2018 Mr. Karius underwent a comprehensive examination by Dr. Ross Zafonte and Dr. Lenore Herget in Boston at Massachusetts General Hospital and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital,” a statement read.
“After carefully reviewing game film and integrating a detailed history – including his reported present and immediate post-contact subjective symptoms – physical examination and objective metrics, we have concluded that Mr. Karius sustained a concussion during the match May 26, 2018.
“At the time of our evaluation, Mr. Karius’s principal residual symptoms and objective signs suggested that visual spatial dysfunction existed and likely occurred immediately following the event. Additional symptomatic and objectively noted areas of dysfunction also persisted. It could be possible that such deficits would affect performance.
“We also note that Mr. Karius has reported significant and steady improvement since the concussive event, and we expect him to make a full recovery based on the results of the examination. We expect that with treatment and by following prescribed activity protocols he will continue to improve. We have encouraged vigilance and an emphasis on safety in his eventual return to full activity.”
It was subtly suggested that Sergio Ramos might have once again been at the heart of this injury as the pair had come together early in the second half with replays showing that Ramos elbowed the German in the head.