Max Kruse has revealed that he was one step away from joining Liverpool in 2019, but Divock Origi’s Champions League heroics ruined the deal.
The Union Berlin forward, who was described as ‘quality’ by the club’s Sporting Director Oliver Ruhnert, made the claim when speaking on the Spieltagssiegerbesieger – Der Kickbase podcast.
In quotes provided by Sport1, the 14-cap Germany international said: “In my opinion, it was relatively fixed. (Liverpool) actually wanted to give up two strikers.
“Then one of the strikers scored goals in the Champions League semi-final and final. Then it was over. At that moment it was disappointing.”
Kruse even revealed that he spoke on the phone with Jürgen Klopp, and still keeps in contact with the former Borussia Dortmund boss.
The 32-year-old adds that Bayern Munich also wanted him that summer.
In light of this news, it seems as if Origi’s two-goal heroics against Barcelona, and his strike against Tottenham in the final, saved his Liverpool career.
Things may not be going too well for the £10 million Belgian right now, but it’s interesting to hear how his goals influenced transfer plans behind the scenes.
As aforesaid, Kruse eventually joined Union Berlin, where he has scored six Bundesliga goals, and assisted five more, in just ten games this season.
He’s clearly a fine player, although it would’ve been strange if Liverpool had signed him.
Why? Well, in the summer of 2019, Kruse would’ve been 30.
It’s unlike Klopp and Michael Edwards to sign players of that age, with the model at Anfield more focused on signing younger players with their prime ahead of them.
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