Loris Karius not to blame as Liverpool 'lose as a team', says Jordan Henderson

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has absolved Loris Karius from blame in their Champions League final defeat saying they ‘lose as a team’.

The German ‘keeper made two costly mistakes, first allowing Karim Benzema to steak the ball as he rolled it out before Gareth Bale’s long range effort slipped through his hands, after the Welshman scored a bicycle kick Karius could do nothing about.

Having struggled on Merseyside the 24-year-old had enjoyed a long spell as first choice in the second half of the season, giving fans far more confidence than they would’ve had earlier this year.

Henderson, though, was quick to shift the spotlight away from Karius.

"It's not about him. We lose as a team, it's not about one person it's about everybody,” Henderson said.

"We knew they were a fantastic side and they were always going to hurt you. They deserved to win.

"In the first 35 minutes we dominated with the ball and had a couple of chances. It's frustrating obviously but we have to give credit to Madrid.

"We still believed we could go on, a couple of goals that on another night wouldn't have gone in.

"The first one (Benzema's goal) I'm not really sure what happened, I didn't know if it was allowed. And then the overhead kick he can do nothing and the third one the ball has got a load of movement on it.”