Football: 7 blunders to rival Karius, featuring Taibi, 'El Loco' and even one all the way from Belarus

Crestfallen German goalkeeper Loris Karius, who made two blunders, walking past the trophy after Liverpool lost 3-1 to Real Madrid in the Uefa Champions League final at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, on May 26, 2018. PHOTO: AFP
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Massimo Taibi allowed a tame long-range shot to squirm under his body, through his legs, and into goal during a match against Southampton in 1999. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM YOUTUBE

Still can't get over Loris Karius' clangers in the Champions League final early on Sunday morning (May 27, Singapore time)?

Here are seven other goalkeeping blunders which rival the German's gaffes in Liverpool's 3-1 loss to Real Madrid:

1. Massimo Taibi, Manchester United (1999)

As part of his search for a replacement for Peter Schmeichel, Alex Ferguson signed Taibi from Venezia in 1999.

In his third match, a 3-3 draw with Southampton, Taibi allowed a tame long-range shot from Matthew le Tissier to squirm under his body, through his legs, and into goal. He later blamed his studs for being too short.

Just like how a specialised role was named after Claude Makelele, a specific blunder was named after the Italian.

From then on, any goalkeeper letting a shot through his legs would be known as "doing a Taibi".

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In the next match, Taibi conceded five goals against Chelsea (one went through his legs too) and he was never seen in a United jersey again.

2. Joeren Zoet, PSV Eindhoven (2017)

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Just last year, Dutchman Zoet committed an absolutely laughable error in PSV Eindhoven's 2-1 defeat by Feyenoord that all but ended his side's title hopes.

After making a good save to deny Feyenoord defender Jan-Arie van der Hejden right on the line, Zoet proceeded to scoop the ball up to his chest, taking it behind the goal line in the process.

Amazingly, the shot stopper blamed goal-line technology for his blunder, saying the incident was "seriously f***** up".

3. Shay Given, Newcastle (1997)

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In an English Premier League game against Coventry in 1997, Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given, then only 21, confidently plucked a deep cross out of the air.

He bowled the ball on the ground, planning to hoof it up the field, but didn't count on Coventry striker Dion Dublin lurking behind him to pinch the ball and roll it into an empty goal.

Dublin's act of opportunism is reason is the reason that, till today, goalkeeping coaches tell aspiring shot stoppers they should always look over their shoulders before rolling the ball in front of their feet.

The error has been repeated countless times by many goalkeepers, but Given's is arguably the most famous.

4. Gary Sprake, Leeds United (1967)

Gary Sprake was the No. 1 in Don Revie's fearsome Leeds United team of the 60s and 70s, but even he dropped the odd clanger.

In a league game against Liverpool at Anfield, Sprake was about to hurl the ball to teammate Terry Cooper, but decided against it at the last minute when he saw a Liverpool man closing Cooper down.

As he attempted to put the brakes on his overarm throw, the ball slipped out of his hand and bobbled into the goal.

5. Artem Gomelko, Torpedo Zhodino (2011)

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The Belarusian domestic league isn't often talked about, but this goof from Artem Gomelko is worth your time.

In Torpedo's game against bottom side Dnepr Mogilev, Dnepr defender Anton Matveenko had an ambitious go at goal from his own half.

Even though the ball was going wide, Gomelko decided to follow the flight of the ball before inexplicably sticking a hand out, diverting the ball into his own goal. Too casual, mate.

6. Peter Enckelman, Aston Villa (2002)

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Few matches are as hotly contested as the second city derby between Aston Villa and Birmingham City. Which makes Finn Enckelman's error even more tragic.

With Villa chasing the game, Enckelman allowed a throw-in from his own defender Olof Mellberg to roll under his foot and into goal.

Birmingham scored a third goal five minutes later to add even more salt to the wound.

7. Rene Higuita, Colombia (1990)

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"El Loco" may be best known for his scorpion kick when clearing a cross in a friendly against England at Wembley in 1995.

But his eccentricity cost Colombia at the 1990 World Cup, when, after receiving a pass from his defender almost near the halfway line well outside his own penalty box, Higuita decided to try and dribble past Roger Milla.

Milla dispossessed him, put Cameroon 2-0 up, did his famous celebration by the corner flag, and Colombia were sent packing.

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