As Liverpool FC are set to unveil Jurgen Klopp as their new manager, we look at three names in the Reds’ squad that the German wanted to snap up for Borussia Dortmund.
Liverpool sacked manager Brendan Rodgers following a disappointing start to the new season that saw the Reds win a paltry three games off their eleven.
Liverpool FC are now close to replacing the Northern Irishman who managed Swansea before become the Reds’ manager with the charismatic German manager Jurgen Klopp.
Klopp had a hugely successful stint, albeit, not flawless, at Borussia Dortmund where he built a squad that won the league twice and reached one UEFA Champions League final despite being a mid-table outfit before Klopp took over.
One of the best thing that Klopp did at Dortmund was he harnessed the talents of his players and converted the potential in performance.
Nuri Sahin, Shinji Kagawa, Mats Hummels. Robert Lewandowski, Ilkay Gundogan are just some of the names that he plucked out of nowhere to make them household names.
We look at three Liverpool FC players that the German was keen to sign during his tenure at Dortmund:
1 – Christian Benteke
When Robert Lewandowski departed Borussia Dortmund for Bayern Munich in 2014, Klopp was in need to plug a big gap his departure had created. However, prior to the Polish international’s departure, it seems that Dortmund were already bracing themselves for his exit, or at least, for creating a good back-up in their squad in case of injuries.
According to Christian Bentekea s agent Eris Kismet, Benteke had been attracting interest from Borussia Dortmund as told by him to ESPN in 2013.
a I am aware of the Dortmund representation at Villa Park for the Chelsea match, but Christian is still a Villa player and nothing has changed on that point.
a There were a lot of scouts from many teams who have an interest in Christian. Now Aston Villaa s future in the Premier League is decided we will know more.
a It is natural for many teams to show an interest when Christian has had such a good season and scored many goals, but it is his first season in the Premier League.a
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2 – Roberto Firmino
According to German publication Bild, Roberto Firmino was being chased by Borussia Dortmund as well as Liverpool FC on the back of a stunning 2013-14 season which saw him score 16 and assist 11 goals in 33 Bundesliga games for Hoffenheim.
It was reported that the German giants, in order to replace the departed Robert Lewandowski to Bayern Munich, were preparing a A?15 million bid to partner Roberto Firmino with new signing Adrian Ramos. As it turned out, Hoffenhem did not let go of Firmino, before the Brazil international moved to Anfield the following summer.
The Brazil star can prove to be a big hit under Klopp with his high work-rate and attacking attributes. Klopp will finally have the opportunity to unleash the Brazilian in his preferred 4-2-3-1 system.
3 – Divock Origi
Origi came in the limelight after a superb 2014 World Cup, with the Belgian impressing as the first-choice forward for the Red Devils.
According to reports in the Mirror, Liverpool FC were in battle with Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund for the teenage Belgian sensation.
Neil Moxley of the Mirror wrote: a The Germans have emerged as serious rivals to the Reds as both clubs look to tie up an A?11 million deal.”
The report suggested that Klopp wanted to sign the pacy forward to play alongside Ciro Immobile and Adrian Ramos.
As it turned out Liverpool FC secured the Belgians signature, before loaning him out for the 14-15 season. And now that he is here and Klopp set to arrive, it might very well be just another occasion where Klopp has turned potential of a youngster into performance. That is if Origi does follow the advice of the uncompromising German.