“We exchanged views” – Player admits speaking to Liverpool’s Klopp about transfer, ‘new challenge’ always welcome

Mario Gotze was linked with a transfer to Liverpool even before Jurgen Klopp arrived at Anfield.

So, given that Klopp is the player’s mentor, the man who brought him into Borussia Dortmund’s team and launched his career, the links were only going to continue afterwards.

When Gotze was getting ready to leave Bayern Munich in 2016, there were repeat claims he was set to join his old manager at the Premier League club.

In the end, the footballer returned to Borussia Dortmund, and has been working to rebuild his career after a prolonged illness.

Speaking to SportBild, Gotze has been asked which coach he still has the most contact with, Pep Guardiola or the Liverpool boss.

He replied: “When I see Pep, we always talk to each other. But I have regular exchanges with Kloppo. He brought me to the professionals at the age of 17 and made everything possible for me. Our contact is never broken.”

That led the German magazine perfectly on to their next question, whether Klopp wanted to take him to Merseyside in 2016: “He knew then that I would leave Bayern. Of course, we also exchanged views within the framework. He knows me very well and knows that I am always looking for new challenges.”

SportBild then asked a very awkward question, wanting to know who Gotze thinks is the best manager out of Guardiola and Klopp.

The German footballer is experienced enough to know how to sit on the fence: “They are difficult to compare because they pursue different philosophies. The fact is that both are extremely successful. I am grateful to have worked with two such outstanding coaches. I watch the games of both teams as often as possible, the title fight in the Premier League is extremely exciting.”