Liverpool continue to be linked with a January move for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, and it appears that the German international may be open to a move at some point over the next year.
In November, Tutto Sport claimed that Gundogan is 'keen' to sign for Liverpool, and when specifically asked this week about the LFC rumours, Gundogan told Sportbild:
"There are no new developments as of yet. Liverpool have a good team, and a great coach. I want to deal with [my future] in a respectful way and will sit down with Dortmund and make a decision".
Liverpool were also linked with Gundogan during the January transfer window, and at the time, the £25m-rated midfielder told reporters:
"Playing outside Germany is one of my big goals. I'd like to play for one of the big teams in England."
Gundogan is a long-term target for Liverpool, and with Klopp at the helm, it'll make it easier to seal the deal.
However, this potential deal is arguably a mistake, for one simple reason: Gundogan is as injury prone as Daniel Sturridge.
* 13 separate injuries since the 2010-11 season.
* 501 days (16.7 months) on the sidelines.
* 108 games missed in that time.
* Recently spent a year out with a spinal injury.
To be fair, Gundogan - hailed by Klopp as an 'extraordinary player' - has made 24 appearances so far this season (7 goals/assists/averaging 80 minutes a game), and his fitness appears to be holding up.
As Liverpool have discovered with Daniel Sturridge, though, short periods of fitness can lead to a false sense of security, and history suggests that Gundogan will incur another injury sooner rather than later.
In my view, irrespective of talent/potential, Liverpool should avoid any player with a significant injury history. It's just not worth it, and the club is already crawling with perpetual sicknotes.
Under Klopp, it's imperative that Liverpool sign strong, robust players with no recent injury history, and Gundogan doesn't fit that description.
Author: Jaimie K
In November, Tutto Sport claimed that Gundogan is 'keen' to sign for Liverpool, and when specifically asked this week about the LFC rumours, Gundogan told Sportbild:
"There are no new developments as of yet. Liverpool have a good team, and a great coach. I want to deal with [my future] in a respectful way and will sit down with Dortmund and make a decision".
Liverpool were also linked with Gundogan during the January transfer window, and at the time, the £25m-rated midfielder told reporters:
"Playing outside Germany is one of my big goals. I'd like to play for one of the big teams in England."
Gundogan is a long-term target for Liverpool, and with Klopp at the helm, it'll make it easier to seal the deal.
However, this potential deal is arguably a mistake, for one simple reason: Gundogan is as injury prone as Daniel Sturridge.
* 13 separate injuries since the 2010-11 season.
* 501 days (16.7 months) on the sidelines.
* 108 games missed in that time.
* Recently spent a year out with a spinal injury.
To be fair, Gundogan - hailed by Klopp as an 'extraordinary player' - has made 24 appearances so far this season (7 goals/assists/averaging 80 minutes a game), and his fitness appears to be holding up.
As Liverpool have discovered with Daniel Sturridge, though, short periods of fitness can lead to a false sense of security, and history suggests that Gundogan will incur another injury sooner rather than later.
In my view, irrespective of talent/potential, Liverpool should avoid any player with a significant injury history. It's just not worth it, and the club is already crawling with perpetual sicknotes.
Under Klopp, it's imperative that Liverpool sign strong, robust players with no recent injury history, and Gundogan doesn't fit that description.
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Author: Jaimie K
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