Former Liverpool goalkeeper relegated from Bundesliga
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A former Liverpool goalkeeper had to suffer a relegation to the 2.Bundesliga this Monday in a two-legged play-off. Image Credits: Imago ImagesIt was a night of heartbreak in Germany as VfL Wolfsburg’s 29-year stay in the Bundesliga came to an end.The Volkswagen-backed club, once Bundesliga champions in 2009, were relegated after a dramatic 2-1 extra-time defeat to SC Paderborn in the second leg of their relegation playoff on Monday night.Having drawn 0-0 in the first leg, Wolfsburg looked on course for survival when Dzenan Pejcinovic put them ahead in just the third minute in Paderborn.But Filip Bilbija equalised before half-time, and despite going down to ten men after Joakim Mæhle’s early dismissal, Wolfsburg held firm and forced extra time.It was there that Laurin Curda’s clutch volley in the 100th minute sealed Paderborn’s promotion and condemned Wolfsburg to the second tier for the first time since 1997.
It marks the end of an almost three-decade unbroken run in German football’s top flight.Among those going down with the club is a goalkeeper with a recognisable name to Liverpool supporters – Kamil Grabara.The Polish shot-stopper, who made several crucial saves in a valiant but ultimately losing effort against Paderborn, will now be playing 2. Bundesliga football next season as things stand.Grabara’s connection to Liverpool dates back to January 2016, when the Reds snapped him up from Polish second-tier side Ruch Chorzów for just £250,000.He progressed through Liverpool’s academy ranks and even trained under Jurgen Klopp at Melwood.Despite being named on the bench for the 2018 League Cup tie against Chelsea – his only taste of senior involvement in red – first-team opportunities never came, and loan spells at Huddersfield Town and Danish side AGF followed before he departed permanently to FC Copenhagen in 2021.At Copenhagen, Grabara truly flourished, winning back-to-back Danish Goalkeeper of the Year awards and impressing in the UEFA Champions League.That form earned him a €13.5 million move (that Liverpool received €2.7m for) to Wolfsburg in 2024 but only for his time in the Bundesliga to end in relegation after just two seasons.Das tut weh.
Wir steigen aus der Bundesliga ab.#SCPWOB pic.twitter.com/tD9zHFLNs5— VfL Wolfsburg (@VfL_Wolfsburg) May 25, 2026 kamil grabara VfL Wolfsburg