Former Germany international Max Kruse admits Divock Origi’s Champions League heroics in 2019 scuppered his hopes of joining Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, telling Die Kruses that he was ‘really sad’ to miss out on a dream move to Anfield in 2019.
Kruse could hardly believe what he was seeing.
Origi’s iconic goal against Barcelona in the Champions League group-stages was one thing. But to follow that up with another famous strike in the final?
The Belgian’s remarkable impact on the biggest of stages not only secured The Reds a sixth European crown, but also salvaged his Liverpool career.
Liverpool nearly signed Max Kruse before Divock Orogi’s Champions League heroics
“I was also on the phone with Jurgen Klopp at the time,” recalls Kruse, who was initially supposed to join the Merseyside giants on a free transfer after a fabulous spell at Werder Bremen.
“It all became clear that I would move to Liverpool. It would, of course, have been the highlight of my career. But then things developed differently.
“At the time, (Daniel) Sturridge and Origi were supposed to be sold. But one of them then scored in the Champions League semi-finals and the final. After that, (Liverpool said) we’ll keep him and, unfortunately, we can’t sign you.
“I was really sad. And then I dared to go abroad (with Fenerbahce).”
Now 34, one of the most naturally-talented yet divisive German footballers of the last decade currently finds himself without a club. A second spell at Wolfsburg did not go to plan; Kruse seeing his contract terminated at the end of November.
‘We didn’t have that feeling with Max’
“In open and honest talks, we came to the agreement that this is the best solution for all,” Wolfsburg sporting director Marcel Schafer said after Kruse fell out of favour under head coach Niko Kovac.
“We wish Max all the best for the future.”
“(Wolfsburg) demand 100 per cent commitment from every player,” Kovac told Sky back in September. “We didn’t have that feeling with Max.
“As a coach, it’s my responsibility to help the team. We’ve seen no impetus from Max that he can help the team.”
Kruse has featured just five times in the Bundesliga this season. A far cry from his sumptuous displays during a remarkable 2018/19 campaign; Kruse’s 12 goals and 14 assists in the green of Werder Bremen putting him within touching distance of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at Anfield.
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