Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka has admitted he turned down a move to Liverpool in 2018, instead joining the Bundesliga giants.
The Germany international has become a key man for the European champions, excelling during their treble-winning campaign last season.
Two years ago, Goretzka had the chance to join the Jurgen Klopp revolution at Anfield, but opted to remain in his homeland, heading to Bayern from Schalke.
Speaking to The Athletic, the 25-year-old opened up about nearly moving to Liverpool, revealing his admiration for Klopp:
They were a consideration, of course.
They’re a great club, and their development since Klopp came has been amazing. We’re all a little proud of him winning the title.
But I took a long time making my decision, and I was 100 per cent sure that Bayern was the right move for me.
Read Liverpool Verdict
Goretzka could well have been an excellent signing for the Reds, with his dynamism, work-rate and team ethic all in tune with what Klopp wants in his players.
Liverpool have a formidable midfield in their own right, however, with the likes of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum becoming top-class performers for the club.
It is an area of the pitch that is vital to everything the Premier League champions do, yet it is also perhaps the most unheralded job in the team.
Goretzka has a similar role for Bayern, with others often making the headlines first, but the German proving to be a vital cog in the European champions’ machine.
