Do Besiktas want to send Karius back to Liverpool with unpaid salary?

Besiktas from Turkey's Super Lig want to send Loris Karius, the goalkeeper they got on loan from Premier League side Liverpool, back to the Anfield Stadium, citing their frustration with his performance,The Mirror newspaper reported on Thursday.

His catastrophic performance in the 2017-18 UEFA Champions League Final against Real Madrid not only cost Liverpool the title, but also destroyed Karius' reputation. After that, the English club sent him to Besiktas on a two-year loan deal worth 2.25 million pounds (about 2.94 million U.S. dollars) with a purchase option for 7.25 million pounds (about 9.48 million dollars).

Goalkeeper Loris Karius (1) of Besiktas in action against Mbwana Samatta (R) of Genk during the Europa League Group I game at the Vodafone Par, October 25, 2018. /VCG Photo

However, even in a less competitive league, Karius did not seem to pull himself together. In the 27 games he played for Besiktas, he only stopped the opponent from scoring in six of them, meaning neither the team nor the fans were happy. "Karius has gone a bit stagnant, something is wrong with his electricity, motivation, enthusiasm for the game. It has been like that since the beginning," said Senol Gunes, manager of the Turkish club in his assessment of Karius.

According to The Mirror, Besiktas have not reached out to Liverpool and there's no clause in the deal between the two clubs that could end the loan in advance.

However, there's more into the story than just Karius' disappointing performance. The German goalkeeper complained to FIFA that Besiktas owed him four months of salary. Though the world soccer governing body confirmed that it was contacted over the issue, FIFA refused to make any further comments before the investigation is over.

Pepe of Besiktas in the UEFA Europa League game against Genk at the Cristal Arena on November 8, 2018. /VCG Photo

This is not the first time Besiktas has had a problem not paying their players. Last year, Portugal center-back Pepe did not receive his salary. When he departed, the 35-year-old even left a large tip in an envelope for the club's maintenance, kit and cooking staff. As nice as the gesture was, it also proved how financially strained Besiktas were.

Perhaps Karius did not meet the expectations of Besiktas, but that does not justify them failing to pay his wages. If the club does not act soon, they risk having their points docked or even being removed from European competition.