Liverpool's Karius tweets: 'I'm infinitely sorry' for Champions League final mistakes

The 24-year-old German goalkeeper was in tears at the final whistle in Kiev after the Reds' 3-1 defeat to Real.

The Spanish side's first goal came when Karim Benzema charged down an attempted throw-out by Karius, and the goalkeeper then allowed a long-range Gareth Bale shot to slip through his grasp for the third.

Merseyside Police on Sunday released a statement saying its officers were aware of "threats" made on social media to Karius.

Karius tweeted on Sunday afternoon: "Haven't really slept until now... the scenes are still running through my head again and again... I'm infinitely sorry to my teammates, for you fans, and for all the staff. I know that I messed it up with the two mistakes and let you all down...

"As I said I'd just like to turn back the time but that's not possible. It's even worse as we all felt that we could have beaten Real Madrid and we were in the game for a long time...

"Thank you to our unbelievable fans who came to Kiev and held my back, even after the game. I don't take that for granted and once again it showed me what a big family we are. Thank you and we will come back stronger."

Karius had earlier told talkSPORT: "I lost my team the game.

"I'm sorry for everyone - from the team, from the whole club - that the mistakes cost dearly.

"If I could go back in time, I would. I feel sorry for my team. I know I let them down.

"It's very hard right now but that's the life of a goalkeeper. These goals cost us the title, basically."

The statement from Merseyside Police said: "Merseyside Police can confirm officers are aware of a number of comments / threats made towards football players via social media.

"The force takes social media posts of this nature extremely seriously and any offences identified will be investigated.

"Merseyside Police would like to remind social media users that any offences including malicious communications and threatening behaviour will be investigated."

Former Reds goalkeeper Ray Clemence said Karius would have to live with his mistakes "for the rest of his life".

Clemence, who was in goal for Liverpool's first three European Cup wins including the 1-0 victory over Real in 1981, told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme: "He's made two horrendous errors at vital times in the game and he has to live with that.

"He's got the whole summer to think about it and when you make mistakes in massive games like that they will be with you for the rest of your life, because people will remember them and keep reminding you of them."

Karius will benefit from the post-season break as he seeks to come to terms with his errors, according to leading psychologist Professor Cary Cooper.

Cooper, professor of psychology and health at Manchester Business School, said: "The only way he can get over this is by putting it behind him and carrying on.

"He made a couple of big mistakes but he has got to see that as irrelevant now, otherwise his career's over.

"It is all about the bounce-back factor. The really successful people in sport as in business are the ones with the biggest bounce-back factor, because everybody makes mistakes along the way.

"I'm not saying this won't adversely affect his self-confidence for a little while, but he is fortunate there is a gap now before he has to play again, and he can come back with a clean slate."