CAREER DEATH NEAR VENICE
Four days have passed now, so it’s probably time to cut Loris Karius a little slack. After all, he’s not exactly the first keeper to make a howling mistake in the biggest game of his life. There’s Sven Ulreich only last month in the Big Cup semi-finals. Oliver Khan in the 2002 World Cup final. Peter Bonetti at Mexico 70. And the Fiver’s personal favourite, Laurent Di Lorto, in goal for France against Italy in the quarter-finals of the 1938 World Cup, volleyballing a soft shot into his net, then running beak-first into the post. At least Loris didn’t suffer that slapstick indignity upon spiking Gareth Bale’s exploratory waft into the onion bag last Saturday. Then again, Laurent only made the one career-defining error during the 90 minutes. And he was never captured on film shanking a goal kick out for a corner, either. Hmm, this defence of Liverpool’s custodian isn’t going so well, is it. But you can only work with the raw materials you’ve got.
Still, onwards and upwards. And there’s already one man prepared to give Karius a second chance. Giorgio Grassi, president of Rimini, has written an open letter to the poor lad, offering him a year’s loan at the newly promoted Serie C club. Grassi argues that the benefits of such a move are manifest: the seaside resort is a “land of hospitality often frequented by your countrymen”; the club is the “ideal place to rediscover your serenity, self-esteem and strength”; and that as part of a “large family” he can become “the umpteenth example of a footballer who falls and rises”. It’s a persuasive argument, though Grassi also points out that they’ve already got a good keeper in 35-year-old Francesco Scotti, so Karius shouldn’t expect to walk straight into the team. From the biggest game in club football to a place on the bench in the Italian third tier? Oh Loris!
Whether this would be the best career move for someone suffering from an acute case of confidence knack is a moot point. Then again, Karius can’t exactly be sure of his place in the Liverpool starting XI come the new season, either, so it’s swings and roundabouts. The Reds are reportedly lining up world-record bids for Alisson of Roma and Atlético Madrid stopper Jan Oblak. Presumably they’re doing so in the hope of landing one or the other, as opposed to accidentally signing them both at the same time, like Gérard Houllier did back in the day with Jerzy Dudek and Chris Kirkland. Here, while we’re on the subject, Safe Hands Sander Westerveld’s flaptastic performance in the 2001 Euro Vase final doesn’t look half as bad these days, does it.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“In my final chat with him, at the hospital, I promised him I would get a call-up and play for my country. And I managed it. I wasn’t nervous going out on the pitch but I was proud, so proud. I just thought: ‘This moment is for my dad,’ because we waited for me to get that call-up and unfortunately he didn’t see it. Maybe he was watching” – Poland and Ipswich keeper Bartosz Bialkowski has a chat with Nick Ames.
THE FIVEЯ
Yes, it’s our not-singing, not-dancing World Cup Fiver. Out every Thursday lunchtime BST, here’s the latest edition, a tale of Peruvian woe.
FIVER LETTERS
“I was just starting to come to terms with Liverpool’s truly bizarre loss in the Champions League final, still pondering what might have been, when a sight on my son’s bedroom wall made me groan out loud all over again. Mr May 2018 on the official Liverpool FC calendar? None other than Simon Mignolet” – Peter Oh.
Send your letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. And if you’ve nothing better to do you can also tweet The Fiver. Today’s winner of our prizeless letter o’the day is … Peter Oh. It must be half-term.
THE RECAP
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NEWS, BITS AND BOBS
Egyptian FA suit Hany Abo Rida has said that Mohamed Salah is likely to miss Egypt’s opener against Uruguay but will be fit for his nation’s second group game against Russia on 19 June. “Salah will be out for between two to three weeks.” he roared.
Ken Bates has been accused of making “truly shameful” comments after criticising the alleged victims of racism at Chelsea for wanting to keep their identities secret and questioning why they did not report it when they were children.
Taxpayers FC are contemplating paying £17.5m for Barcelona’s Marlon Santos but are a bit worried he’s not as tall as James Collins.
David Wagner has wagged his pen all over a new contract at Huddersfield Town – a deal that is worth more than £2.5m a year, making him one of the best-paid Premier League managers outside of the top six.
And Wilfried Zaha may follow suit at Crystal Palace, with the London club set to offer him a bumper new deal.
What José Mourinho wants (Porto full-back Diogo Dalot), José Mourinho normally gets.
Cheque books are fluttering after Bobby Lewandowski’s Mr 15% started talking that talk. The Polish striker “feels that he needs a change and a new challenge in his career,” according to Pini Zahavi.
Big Mick McCarthy has been replaced by Average-Sized Paul Hurst at Ipswich.
Jordan Pickford admits England are already practising penalties, so don’t worry everyone!
Usain Bolt is training with Norwegian side Stromsgodset, in a PR stunt that is in no way related to them both being sponsored by the same sporty clothes company. “Maybe a club will see something and decide to give me a chance,” parped Bolt.
Oh, and in case you missed it, Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick last night, and Scotland lost to World Cup Group C giants Peru.
STILL WANT MORE?
You can pick your best ever Brazil team and compare it to Cafu’s (CAFU’S!) attacking choice.
The Fishers have arrived! Well ... Ben has picked his Football League teams of the year.
Don’t be a right Dundee United, read The Knowledge.
Pretend you know something about Saudi Arabia and Egypt with our World Cup team guides.
Barry Glendenning’s beginner’s guide to the World Cup is right here.
