Liverpool could reportedly still return with a move for Borussia Dortmund attacker Mario Gotze, but only if the right deal presents itself.
Gotze was on Jurgen Klopp‘s radar last summer, with the Reds believed to have made a £20 million bid for Germany international in May, before he opted to leave Bayern Munich to return to Dortmund instead.
But his homecoming has not gone to plan at all, with Gotze making just 16 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals and assisting a further two.
Gotze’s misery was compounded as he was sidelined for an undefined period with a metabolic disorder at the end of February, which is believed to have been diagnosed as myopathy.
The forward’s father, Jurgen, revealed there was currently “no plan for the therapy,” leaving the 24-year-old unlikely to feature regularly before the end of the season.
But according to Goal’s Melissa Reddy, this has not deterred Klopp, who apparently retains belief that he can unlock Gotze’s world-class attributes.
Gotze spent four seasons working with Klopp at Dortmund, before leaving to join Bayern in 2013, and still enjoys a positive relationship with his former mentor.
And with Liverpool likely to be competing in either the Champions League or the Europa League next season, there is certainly a place for Gotze in Klopp’s first-team squad.
However, as Reddy stresses, Klopp is no longer willing to build his plans around Gotze, due to his long-term issues.
Gotze’s last truly productive season came in 2014/15 with Bayern, when he scored 15 and assisted seven in 48 games, off the back of his World Cup final winner for Germany in Brazil the previous summer.
He is a hugely talented, versatile midfielder, capable of operating in a variety of roles in the middle of the park and further forward, including as a centre-forward.
As such, he could add to Klopp’s squad considerably, and most likely as either a left winger or in a deeper role in midfield.
This would allow Klopp to provide the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum with cover, which will be required in what is likely to be a busy 2017/18 campaign.
The 49-year-old is currently plotting for the summer transfer window, with Bayer Leverkusen winger Julian Brandt and RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita also in his sights.
However, unlike the youthful duo, a move for Gotze would only be made if it is on Liverpool’s terms.
Fan Comments