'Karius concussion diagnosis just an excuse'

Doctors in Massachusetts claimed on Monday that Karius suffered the injury in a collision with Ramos before dropping two clangers to hand the victory to 'Los Blancos'.

"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," they explained.

Ramos was at the heart of the two most controversial incidents in Kiev, also being involved as Mo Salah suffered a shoulder problem.

However, speaking to 'Mirror Football' at Betfair's Road to Russia, Salgado showed his lack of conviction in the claims of Karius' injury and his support for Ramos.

"I think it's excuses," he explained. "I think it's excuses because I saw everything and it has nothing to do with football. I don't know why they are criticising him.

"The one with Salah is a struggle, a 50-50, both go down, he was falling and Salah gets caught in the shoulder.

"He's unlucky, there's no intention at all and it's a strong moment for both sides.

"It's stupid to criticise him for that.

"The problem is that it was a turning point in the game. Liverpool after that were a different team and Real Madrid after that were a different team as well.

"But it's part of the big games, part of the moments like that. Big moments where you have to go for everything.

"On the other hand about Karius, the goalkeeper, I cannot even talk about this stupid thing about concussion or whatever. It's two big mistakes and I'm really sorry for the kid because he's a young guy, he will never forget what happened in this final and hopefully it won't affect the future of this kid.

"But I don't know why the press is putting pressure on Sergio Ramos for something that is stupid."