Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius has issued a public apology after he was pictured kissing a mystery brunette during his summer break.
The German - who is set to return to Anfield after a failed loan move with Union Berlin - was believed to be in a relationship with German model and television presenter Sophia Thomalla but she moved quickly to confirm the romance was over.
Karius was holidaying in Greece when he was snapped aboard a yacht with a new love interest as they kissed and cosied up.
The 27-year-old shot-stopper took to Twitter to say: "Yesterday, Sophia and I were leaked photos from my vacation that show me with another woman.
"It is unfortunately true that we have drifted apart for a long time.
"I am sorry that it is now falling apart and I would like to apologise for that.”
Karius and Thomalla had not posted recent images together on social media and the Daily Star report it is unclear as to whether they were still an item at the time of Karius' kiss.
Thomalla responded to the Daily Mail : “Yes, I saw the pictures today as well.
"There is only one thing left to say: we are no couple anymore.”
Karius - who suffered a nightmare Champions League final performance in the 2018 defeat to Real Madrid and has not appeared competitively for Liverpool since - will be allowed to search for new employment elsewhere this summer.
Sources close to Karius have remained tight-lipped on his next move but the ECHO understands Liverpool will not stand in the way of any permanent deal.
Liverpool have not put a price on the German but with a 12-month extension of his five-year deal penned when he joined Besiktas in 2018, they are under no pressure to accept a cut-price sum.
But the prospect of allowing a third loan after moves to Besiktas and Union Berlin raises the prospect of Karius walking away for good in a year's time as a free agent.
