Thibaut Courtois laughs off suggestions Loris Karius’ concussion caused Champions League final blunders
Karius made two horrendous errors as Liverpool lost 3-1 in Champions League final against Real Madrid but Courtois isn't convinced by concussion claims
THIBAUT COURTOIS has mocked the suggestion that concussion caused Loris Karius’ Champions League final blunders.
The German keeper, 24, was floored by Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos before his two mistakes in Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat in Kiev.
Karius had a head scan in Boston last week and doctors concluded he suffered concussion which would have affected his visual awareness.
But Chelsea keeper Courtois believe it is “strange” to blame the injury given the Reds stopper also made two great saves after his clash with Ramos.
The Belgian, 26, said: “I don’t know what’s true and what’s not.
“I feel sorry for what happened with him but to blame it now on concussion? In that time that he made those mistakes, he also made two amazing saves.
“Was that luck then because he couldn’t see the ball? I don’t know. If they want to say it’s because of that, then it’s OK.
“What he said after the game, he made two mistakes, everyone will accept that because it can happen as a goalkeeper.
PLAYING FOR KEEPS Chelsea launch bid for Liverpool target Alisson as Courtois replacement
“But to blame it now on a concussion, I find it strange. But OK, if the medics said that from Boston, then it’s OK.”
Courtois himself suffered concussion for Chelsea against Arsenal in October 2014 after a collision with Alexis Sanchez.
Dream Team World Cup - Sign up to win £100k
Enter for FREE
£50m budget and 20 transfers throughout the tournament
Play to win £100k top price and a share of £175k prizepot
SIGN UP FOR DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP NOW
He was injured in the tenth minute and played on for another 14 minutes before he was substituted, something which was criticised by brain charities after the game.
On Karius, Courtois added: “I guess he got the blow to his head.
“But it happened to me with Alexis Sanchez, I had concussion and I couldn’t see the ball so after 20 minutes I went out of the game because I couldn’t see the ball.
“It is unfortunate for him to have made those mistakes but I think if you have a concussion, you will leave the game.
“Or the doctors will say, ‘Look, you cannot see clearly any more you have to leave the game’.”
Courtois has been linked with a move away from Chelsea this summer, with just one year left on his current Blues deal.
But the Belgium No1 insists the speculation will not distract him during the World Cup.
He said: “I think I have proved at Chelsea in the last two months that I don’t care about speculation.
“I am now focused on the World Cup and I think my performances prove that.”