Liverpool have recently been linked with Italy and Borussia Dortmund striker Ciro Immobile. The player, however, has played down any talk of a move to the Premier League side next season.
The 25 year old move from Torino to Dortmund last summer after completing a 20m euro transfer. The striker enjoyed a great season for the Italian side as he scored 22 goals for Torino that year. He hasn’t enjoyed a similar season with the German side and has only seven goals in 21 appearances to show in all competitions.
There were reports in Germany that Brendan Rodgers could be planning a move for the forward but Immobile has said that he wants to stay at the German club and prove his worth. He has also spoken about Robert Lewandwoski and said that the current Bayern Munich striker also had a similar first season with Jurgen Klopp’s side.
He said, “I chose my path and I’m going to follow it all the way to the end. I would do this again. I feel I’m at the right level to play with Borussia Dortmund.
“After the [German] triumph in the World Cup some of our players were a bit too distracted and we could not replicate in the matches what we were doing in training.
“The hardship I encountered when coming into this team didn’t help me integrate myself. But it’s not true that [Borussia Coach Jurgen] Klopp doesn’t help me. We talk a lot.
“People only remember what they want to remember. Even [Robert] Lewandowski only scored seven goals in his first year, then he started winning and scoring and he left a good memory of himself.
“Hopefully I’ll get the same opportunity.”
Immobile started his youth career with Sorrento where he impressed and subsequently earned himself a move to Juventus. However, he never did establish himself at the club and could only enjoy four appearances for the Bianconeri as he spent most of his Juventus career out on loan before the Old Lady sold half of his ownership rights to Genoa in January 2012. He was allowed to join Torino in July 2013 but Juventus held half of his ownership rights at the moment. So when Dortmund came calling last summer, the Italian giants had the option of buying the then in-form player, but it didn’t happen (Immobile claims that ex-Bianconeri boss Antonio Conte wanted him at Juventus Stadium but that club president Andrea Agnelli and sporting director Beppe Marotta refused to sanction the deal) and the player went to German side Borussia Dortmund.
The player enjoyed a good start to life at the club, but has slowed down since and only has three goals in fifteen games. It is believed that Liverpool will be selling at least two of their strikers this January and it would be between Fabio Borini, Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli. Brendan Rodgers wants to bring in an upgrade on these players as he wishes to challenge for trophies and the Premier League title next season. Immobile is currently out of form, but last season showed he certainly has the credentials to come good. However, for now it looks like the Italian wishes to stay with Jurgen Klopp’s side.