Losing at home to Eintracht Frankfurt last Friday, Schalke 04 saw their hopes of playing in Europe next season reduced that little bit more with 16 games left in the current season.
The German side, who started the season deplorably, have been trying to climb back up the table, but currently nine points adrift from sixth, the ever important qualification for European competition looks hard to achieve.
Why is it so important? Because without it, keeping hold of some of their talented stars, like Leon Goretzka, will become more and more difficult.
Last week, we covered an article from Bild claiming ‘money and class’ could lure the midfielder away from Gelsenkirchen, and Kicker on Thursday basically agree with it, questioning whether Goretzka would be interested to look elsewhere, with Liverpool keen on his services.
With a contract running out in 2018, the summer could be the perfect time to raid Schalke for their talent, something Jürgen Klopp will undoubtedly be aware of.Without European football, Goretzka would be forgiven for not wanting to renew any further with his current side, and with Liverpool currently amid the Champions League qualification spots, signing for a top 6 team in England certainly has its appeal.
Of course, with 16 games left, a good run could see Schalke close that nine point gap before the end of the season, but considering the form and quality of the teams above them, a lot will need to go their way for that to happen.
Klopp is at the ready.
