KIEV, UKRAINE - MAY 26: Loris Karius of Liverpool looks on during the UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool on May 26, 2018 in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius suffered a concussion during the Champions League final before the two mistakes that led to Real Madrid goals, an American hospital has confirmed. Footage emerged after the 3-1 defeat - a game that was decided by two blunders by Karius - of the German shot-stopper shipping a hefty challenge from Sergio Ramos, after which Karius went to ground clutching his head. Liverpool were concerned that Karius may have suffered an injury in the collision and the goalkeeper underwent tests at Massachusetts General Hospital and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. The goalkeeper was already in America on holidays when the decision was taken by the club's medical staff that Karius should get a scan. In a statement this evening, Dr Ross Zafonte confirmed that Karius did get concussed in the collision, and that it 'could be possible that such deficits would affect performance'. "After carefully reviewing game film and integrating a detailed history – including his reported present and immediate post-contact subjective symptoms – physical examination and objective metrics, we have concluded that Mr. Karius sustained a concussion during the match May 26, 2018," the statement says. "At the time of our evaluation, Mr. Karius’s principal residual symptoms and objective signs suggested that visual spatial dysfunction existed and likely occurred immediately following the event. Additional symptomatic and objectively noted areas of dysfunction also persisted. It could be possible that such deficits would affect performance. "We also note that Mr. Karius has reported significant and steady improvement since the concussive event, and we expect him to make a full recovery based on the results of the examination. We expect that with treatment and by following prescribed activity protocols he will continue to improve. We have encouraged vigilance and an emphasis on safety in his eventual return to full activity." Online Editors<doc-sep>LORIS KARIUS "sustained a concussion" during Liverpool's Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid. A statement released by Massachusetts General Hospital confirms the goalkeeper was far from 100 per cent as his two horrendous mistakes saw Real emerge as 3-1 victors in last month's showpiece clash. 4 Loris Karius sustained a concussion during the Champions League final Credit: Alamy Live News As revealed earlier, Karius jetted off to America for scans amid fears he suffered head trauma following a clash with Real captain Sergio Ramos. The incident occurred before Karius' first mistake in Kiev, which saw him virtually throw the ball into Karim Benzema's path for a free shot at goal. And it's now been revealed that the German was indeed suffering from concussion, which is sure to have had some impact on his game. A hospital statement read: "On May 31, 2018 Mr. Karius underwent a comprehensive examination by Dr. Ross Zafonte and Dr. Lenore Herget in Boston at Massachusetts General Hospital and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius cries after making two major errors in the Champions League final 4 The goalie's two mistakes helped Real Madrid to a 3-1 win over Liverpool Credit: Reuters "After carefully reviewing game film and integrating a detailed history – including his reported present and immediate post-contact subjective symptoms – physical examination and objective metrics, we have concluded that Mr. Karius sustained a concussion during the match May 26, 2018. "At the time of our evaluation, Mr. Karius’s principal residual symptoms and objective signs suggested that visual spatial dysfunction existed and likely occurred immediately following the event. Additional symptomatic and objectively noted areas of dysfunction also persisted. It could be possible that such deficits would affect performance. "We also note that Mr. Karius has reported significant and steady improvement since the concussive event, and we expect him to make a full recovery based on the results of the examination. "We expect that with treatment and by following prescribed activity protocols he will continue to improve. We have encouraged vigilance and an emphasis on safety in his eventual return to full activity." 4 Karius travelled to America for scans amid fears of head trauma after a clash with Sergio Ramos Credit: Getty Images 4 The knock occurred before Real's first goal and is sure to have affected Karius' game Credit: Alamy Live News<doc-sep>Doctors have released a statement confirming Loris Karius suffered a concussion during the Champions League final. Karius was roundly criticised for his lacklustre display in the second half of Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid, with errors leading directly to two goals. The 24-year-old has apologised to supporters for his performance in Kyiv, and has subsequently flown to the United States for a break before returning for pre-season training next month. As part of his trip, however, Liverpool ordered Karius to undergo a series of scans to determine whether he had endured head trauma following an elbow from Sergio Ramos. It has now been confirmed that the incident, which occurred minutes before the goalkeeper’s first mistake led to Karim Benzema’s opener, did cause a concussion. Drs. Ross Zafonte and Lenore Herget, who conducted the scans at the Massachusetts General Hospital on May 31, wrote: “We have received numerous calls today regarding the health status of Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius. With Mr. Karius’s permission, we are providing information about his medical situation in an effort to prevent, where possible, the dissemination of incomplete or erroneous information. “On May 31, 2018 Mr. Karius underwent a comprehensive examination by Dr. Ross Zafonte and Dr. Lenore Herget in Boston at Massachusetts General Hospital and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. “After carefully reviewing game film and integrating a detailed history – including his reported present and immediate post-contact subjective symptoms – physical examination and objective metrics, we have concluded that Mr. Karius sustained a concussion during the match May 26, 2018. “At the time of our evaluation, Mr. Karius’s principal residual symptoms and objective signs suggested that visual spatial dysfunction existed and likely occurred immediately following the event. Additional symptomatic and objectively noted areas of dysfunction also persisted. It could be possible that such deficits would affect performance. “We also note that Mr. Karius has reported significant and steady improvement since the concussive event, and we expect him to make a full recovery based on the results of the examination. We expect that with treatment and by following prescribed activity protocols he will continue to improve. We have encouraged vigilance and an emphasis on safety in his eventual return to full activity.” Given the criticism levelled at Karius after the game, this is an illuminating development which could raise more questions than it does present answers. A lack of concern for the goalkeeper directly following Ramos’ elbow highlighted an issue with how head injuries are still treated in football. And on a more superficial level the standard of refereeing in the final, which also saw Mohamed Salah forced off after a robust challenge from Ramos left him with a shoulder injury, can be queried. It can also be argued that UEFA’s decision not to investigate either incident should be revisited, though in any case it wouldn’t bring a sixth European Cup to Anfield. Whether this alters perspectives on Karius remains to be seen, with calls for an immediate replacement undermined by Zafonte and Herget’s revelation, though they may still be valid. But it could serve to justify Jurgen Klopp persevering with his No. 1 beyond the summer, despite clear interest in Roma’s Alisson.<doc-sep>
Loris Karius DID suffer a concussion during Liverpool's Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid – and it may have contributed to his nightmare second half in Kiev. Karius was decked by a flailing elbow from Real Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos in an off-the-ball incident inside the penalty area during the match in Kiev's NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium on May 26. The incident, which was not seen by referee Milorad Mazic and his assistants, came shortly before Karius gifted Karim Benzema the opening goal with a poor throw before a later mistake gave Gareth Bale his second goal in Real's 3-1 win. Karius complained to the referee at the time about the challenge and underwent treatment before being allowed to continue. It emerged on ESPN FC on Monday that Liverpool's medical staff were concerned about the possibility of Karius suffering a concussion, and although the goalkeeper went on holiday to the United States after the final, he was sent to Boston to visit head trauma specialist Dr Ross Zafonte at Massachusetts General Hospital last Thursday under encouragement from the club. And in a statement released by the hospital and with the blessing of Karius himself, it appears the goalkeeper should NOT have carried on playing after the collision with Ramos. The statement read: “On May 31, 2018 Mr. Karius underwent a comprehensive examination by Dr. Ross Zafonte and Dr. Lenore Herget in Boston at Massachusetts General Hospital and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. “After carefully reviewing game film and integrating a detailed history – including his reported present and immediate post-contact subjective symptoms – physical examination and objective metrics, we have concluded that Mr. Karius sustained a concussion during the match May 26, 2018. “At the time of our evaluation, Mr. Karius’s principal residual symptoms and objective signs suggested that visual spatial dysfunction existed and likely occurred immediately following the event. “Additional symptomatic and objectively noted areas of dysfunction also persisted. It could be possible that such deficits would affect performance. “We also note that Mr. Karius has reported significant and steady improvement since the concussive event, and we expect him to make a full recovery based on the results of the examination. “We expect that with treatment and by following prescribed activity protocols he will continue to improve. We have encouraged vigilance and an emphasis on safety in his eventual return to full activity.” Dr Zafonte is known as a leading authority on the treatment of NFL players who have suffered head trauma. UEFA competitions, similar to the Premier League, have procedures in place regarding possible concussions during a match.