Liverpool continue to be linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, and with Juventus reportedly set to make a January offer, new reports suggest that the Reds are intent on hijacking any potential deal.
Liverpool were 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."
Speculation arose again in April, and according to the weekend edition of Tutto Sport:
* Gundogan is is 'keen' to sign for Liverpool and link up with Klopp.
* Juventus also want Gundogan, and the Reds are ready to match the club's offer.
Signing Gundogan is arguably a mistake, for one simple reason: He's more injury prone than 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 21 appearances so far this season (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
Liverpool were 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."
Speculation arose again in April, and according to the weekend edition of Tutto Sport:
* Gundogan is is 'keen' to sign for Liverpool and link up with Klopp.
* Juventus also want Gundogan, and the Reds are ready to match the club's offer.
Signing Gundogan is arguably a mistake, for one simple reason: He's more injury prone than 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 21 appearances so far this season (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
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