Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has revealed why he made no attempt to bring new Manchester United signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Anfield this summer.
During his days as Dortmund manager, Jurgen Klopp roped in one of the most dynamic attacking midfielders in 2013 in the form of Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The Armenian’s impressive 25 goals in the 2012/13 season saw the former Dortmund boss pay top-dollar to lure the player to the Bundesliga. Mkhitaryan picked up from where he left off in Ukraine and had an impressive stint in Germany.
Many fancied Klopp, in his new role as Liverpool manager, to be in the market for Mkhitaryan — a player who helped turn the fortunes around for his previous side. Instead, the German chose against signing the current Manchester United player, and opted to bring in Sadio Mane from Southampton. In an interview with James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo, Klopp explained why he did not attempt to bring the 27-year-old to Anfield this summer.
“I had that player. If you have had players, you know more about them. You want to learn about other players. That’s how it is,” said Klopp.
“I knew quite early that he was going this way (to Old Trafford). There was absolutely no reason for me to jump in there. That isn’t how we work. We didn’t look for players we had already worked with. If you do that, you know their good, their bad and you wonder whether you will do it again.
“It’s not boring but you know everything about each other so how can you develop? Where is the next step? Where is the next push for development?”
However, the player with whom the Liverpool manager wanted a reunion was German midfielder Mario Gotze. During Klopp’s reign at Dortmund, Gotze grew into a fascinating all-round player with an eye for goal and the ability to make things happen for his team. His exceptional performances for Die Borussen prompted Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich to convince the player to move to the Allianz Arena.
Due to a number of star names on the Bayern roster, Gotze was used sparingly by manager Pep Guardiola. In a bid to play regular first team football, he moved back to Dortmund this summer. It was reported that Liverpool were interested in signing the player, but he decided against the option of reuniting with Klopp.
“There are a lot of players who will only join a club when it is in the Champions League. I don’t understand that but it is like it is,” the Liverpool coach added.
“I know about these players so I don’t ask them. I look for other players, the ones who have the quality and ability to play in the Champions League but are ready to qualify together.
“Maybe there is only one year when they don’t play Champions League but that is maybe the most important part of their thoughts. I never understand it.”
