It looks like last year's most tedious transfer saga is all set to ramp up again this summer.
Liverpool were endlessly linked with Mario Gotze during Klopp's debut season at Anfield, and according to The Mirror this weekend:
"Liverpool are lining up a summer move for Mario Gotze. Jurgen Klopp wants a reunion with the attacker, and talks about an end-of-season switch have taken place".
Prior to re-signing for Borussia Dortmund, Gotze was reportedly 'keen' to sign for Liverpool, but when it came to the crunch, his pre-existing relationship with Jurgen Klopp made zero difference. Gotze is yet to publicly reveal his reasons for rejecting Liverpool, but German hero Lothar Matthaus offered the following withering view on the subject:
"Why would he Gotze join a club that does not even play in the Champions League?"
To be fair, Liverpool finished 8th in the league last season, so it's hard to begrudge Gotze's decision to sign for a team in the Champions League. With any luck, though, the Reds will be back in Europe's premier competition soon, which should make it easier to sign higher profile players.
Last season, I argued against signing Gotze, and I remain unconvinced by this potential transfer, for the following reasons:
* 11 muscle injuries in the last 4.5 seasons, including 46 days out this season with four separate injuries (11 games missed). Clearly, Gotze has muscle issues, and that is unlikely to improve under Klopp's high-intensity regime.
* Gotze - who confirmed last season that he 'texts' Klopp - isn't the tallest or physically strongest player, and he may struggle with the physicality of the Premier League.
* Over the last two seasons, Gotze's end product has plummeted, and he currently averages a goal/assist every 295 mins.
* Central attacking midfielder (i.e. number-10) is Gotze's best position, but Liverpool's 433 formation doesn't allow for that type of player. Plus, if the Reds need a number-10, then Coutinho is the obvious candidate.
I see no point in signing Gotze and then playing him out wide. He is not a specialist wide player, and the team already has enough square pegs in round holes. Thanks but no thanks.
^ Described by Klopp as a player with extraordinary abilities. €23m-rated (CIES)
Liverpool were endlessly linked with Mario Gotze during Klopp's debut season at Anfield, and according to The Mirror this weekend:
"Liverpool are lining up a summer move for Mario Gotze. Jurgen Klopp wants a reunion with the attacker, and talks about an end-of-season switch have taken place".
Prior to re-signing for Borussia Dortmund, Gotze was reportedly 'keen' to sign for Liverpool, but when it came to the crunch, his pre-existing relationship with Jurgen Klopp made zero difference. Gotze is yet to publicly reveal his reasons for rejecting Liverpool, but German hero Lothar Matthaus offered the following withering view on the subject:
"Why would he Gotze join a club that does not even play in the Champions League?"
To be fair, Liverpool finished 8th in the league last season, so it's hard to begrudge Gotze's decision to sign for a team in the Champions League. With any luck, though, the Reds will be back in Europe's premier competition soon, which should make it easier to sign higher profile players.
Last season, I argued against signing Gotze, and I remain unconvinced by this potential transfer, for the following reasons:
* 11 muscle injuries in the last 4.5 seasons, including 46 days out this season with four separate injuries (11 games missed). Clearly, Gotze has muscle issues, and that is unlikely to improve under Klopp's high-intensity regime.
* Gotze - who confirmed last season that he 'texts' Klopp - isn't the tallest or physically strongest player, and he may struggle with the physicality of the Premier League.
* Over the last two seasons, Gotze's end product has plummeted, and he currently averages a goal/assist every 295 mins.
* Central attacking midfielder (i.e. number-10) is Gotze's best position, but Liverpool's 433 formation doesn't allow for that type of player. Plus, if the Reds need a number-10, then Coutinho is the obvious candidate.
I see no point in signing Gotze and then playing him out wide. He is not a specialist wide player, and the team already has enough square pegs in round holes. Thanks but no thanks.
^ Described by Klopp as a player with extraordinary abilities. €23m-rated (CIES)
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