Former Liverpool star set for contract offer from Premier League club as ‘talks’ begin

Newcastle United are set to offer a new contract to a former Liverpool star this summer.

The Magpies look set to keep former Red Loris Karius after a short-term deal that saw the goalkeeper join the Tyneside club last September. Karius didn’t make a single Premier League appearance for Newcastle this season, with Nick Pope the number one, but he did play in the Carabao Cup final due to back-up goalkeeper Martin Dubravka being cup-tied.

Karius is remembered by Liverpool fans for his ill-fated Champions League final appearance against Real Madrid.

But the German may now get a chance to play Champions League football again, with Newcastle, who finished fourth this season, set to keep him around beyond this summer, when his current deal expires. The Athletic report that ‘tentative’ conversations have taken place over a new deal despite the keeper’s lack of involvement. Though, should he stay, it will be interesting to see whether Dubravka moves on, allowing the German to become number two.

Eddie Howe has said of Karius previously: “I think he’s been a very calming influence. He’s a goalkeeper with a lot of experience. He’s trained well and is a very good character and very popular in the changing room - the lads have really taken to him.

“He hadn’t trained a lot when he entered the club. We were in a difficult situation after the injury to Karl (Darlow) and as I say, he was a calming influence. He brought stability behind the scenes. Steadily, with the amount of goalkeeping he’s done now, he’s improving all the time.”

Karius will, at the very least, offer Champions League experience to a Newcastle side that has very little heading into next season, whie he has also shown that he is capable of being a steady hand, despite that frustrating Champions League final appearance with Liverpool.