Liverpool’s Lorius Karius could be handed January lifeline by basement side who’ve already conceded 46 goals

Loris Karius' nightmare Liverpool spell could finally be ended when the January transfer window opens next month.

The goalkeeper is surplus to requirements at Anfield, having last played for the Reds three-and-a-half years ago.

Background

That outing was in the 2018 Champions League final, with Karius making two disastrous errors in the 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid.

The German was replaced by Alisson Becker the following summer, while he's endured difficult loan spells at Besiktas and Union Berlin since.

Karius - who arrived from Mainz in 2016 - now finds himself fifth-choice keeper, at best, at Liverpool and his contract expires in the summer.

If reports are correct, SpVgg Greuther Furth in his homeland could hand him a lifeline.

The Bavaria-based side are bottom of the Bundesliga table with just four points - the lowest of any club in the top five European divisions.

Yet they have a goalkeeping crisis on their hands, with No.1 Marius Funk absent with a serious knee injury and deputy Sascha Burchert out of contract in the summer.

According to Kicker, Karius is an option for Furth to strengthen in that department.

When asked about a potential swoop, head coach Stefan Leitl did not deny interest.

"He's undoubtedly a very, very good goalkeeper, but I'm not involved in names or speculations," he said.

Will Karius leave Liverpool in January?

You would certainly think he would be keen on doing so for his own career's benefit.

There is clearly no way back for him on Merseyside. With Adrian currently injured with a calf issue, 18-year-old Marcelo Pitaluga has been promoted to third choice.

Karius was linked with a move to Swiss outfit Basel during last summer's transfer window, although it didn't come to fruition.

Speaking in October, he admitted he thought he would get good opportunities in January.

That might mean Karius will assess his options amid Furth's reported interest.

The 28-year-old might not been keen on a move to a club that have won just one league game and already shipped 46 goals.