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Mario Götze used to play for Jürgen Klopp. He had the best years of his still young career under the charismatic manager. So, with all signs pointing to an exit from Bayern Munich this summer, it’s hardly a surprise that the star attacker has been linked heavily with a Liverpool move in recent weeks.
Klopp, though, refused to be drawn into discussing the player at a press conference held today for the German press at Anfield. The rumour mongers—along with more than a few journalists with ties to the club and solid track records—may be talking about a bargain, £15-20M move Götze, who has just one year remaining on his current contract, but Klopp won’t.
"We can talk about [Joel] Matip or other things, but not Mario," said Klopp when asked about recent reports making Liverpool favourites to land the 23-year-old German international this summer. "I was pleased to see yesterday he had a good game, that’s all. He’s a player who has exceptional skills and four months after his injury looks fully fit again."
Injury and a falling out with Bayern manager Pep Guardiola this season has limited Götze to just a dozen appearances and four goals this year after two seasons when he made 93 total appearances for the German giants along with scoring 30 goals and adding 20 assists. It’s a return that already has Liverpool fans excited about the possibility of Götze at Anfield.
His age, the potential bargain fee, his positional flexibility as a player who can take on any attacking role, and that he still has plenty of room to improve doesn’t hurt, either. Meanwhile, reports from journalists with ties to the club have suggested Klopp wants to get Götze—as well as any other big transfers—done before the Euros kick off on the 10th of June this summer.
The Liverpool manager may not want to talk about it quite yet for rather obvious reasons, but there’s every reason to believe that the club might just follow up last summer’s big Bundesliga signing of Roberto Firmino with a similar marquee signing.