Mario Gotze has told The Mail that he should have joined Liverpool in 2016. The German returned to Dortmund from Bayern Munich six years ago, but injury nightmare prevented him from reigniting his early Dortmund form.
Gotze, now 29, is synonymous with scoring the extra-time winner for Germany in the 2014 World Cup final against Argentina. But he is a long way away from that these days – although impressing in PSV’s midfield.
Having done well in his three years at Bayern, albeit as part of a rotation option, he returned to Dortmund – but a metabolic illness, along with groin and ankle issues, prevented him from returning to his best form.
He left Dortmund for a second time in 2020 to join PSV, his career dwindling. But he has rejuvenated some kind of form this season, producing 21 goal involvements – scoring 11 and creating 10 – in 45 games.
Reflecting on his career, Gotze confirmed that he could have joined Liverpool when he returned to Dortmund – having spoke to Jurgen Klopp. He says it is not a regret, but admits he should have moved to Anfield.
“We are still in touch and we spoke back then about me coming to Liverpool,” Gotze said in 2016. “I should have joined Liverpool for sure. I just made a wrong decision but it’s not a regret.”
Gotze on Liverpool: Could things have been different under Klopp?
The young Gotze that produced his best form of his career in his first Dortmund spell largely came under Klopp. The chance to rejoin him at Liverpool was on the cards – but he returned to Dortmund six years ago.
Now, on reflection, Gotze admits he should have rejoined Klopp – and perhaps it is a move that would have seen him rediscover some of the dizzying heights of form he initially showed. But that is hypothetical.
Injury can be hard to ignore and in the tough, physical Premier League – Gotze’s fragile proneness to injury might have suffered more. He now faces Leicester at the King Power on Thursday, in the Conference League.
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