Ilkay Gundogan explains why he rejected Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool

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Manchester City maestro Ilkay Gundogan has opened up about why he turned down the chance to reunite with Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

The 29-year-old arrived in English football back in 2016 after five seasons with Borussia Dortmund, joining City for a reported £20 million fee (BBC Sport).

The Germany international had worked under Klopp at the Bundesliga outfit, and the pair had an excellent relationship.

Klopp once branded Gundogan ‘a complete player’ (via Sky Sports), and there was speculation he might have followed Klopp to Anfield.

Speaking about why he opted against that particular career move, Gundogan told Fantasy PL: “I feel like if I don’t challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone, I’m not going to change anything and won’t improve.

“So I had a great four years with Jurgen and I love him as a person and a manager but I felt it was time for something else.

“I wanted to leave Dortmund in Dortmund and didn’t want to think about the time that I had with him when I was joining a new club.

“That was a bit of the reason why I didn’t want to join Liverpool.”

TBR’s view – Gundogan would have been great Liverpool addition

Certainly Liverpool aren’t regretting missing out on Gundogan right now, but at the time of Klopp taking over he would have really improved the Reds midfield.

At the time, the Reds had the likes of Emre Can, Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen in their ranks, as well as current players Jordan Henderson and James Milner.

Arguably Gundogan would have been an upgrade on almost all of those players.

It was seemingly a non-starter, but Liverpool can’t have too many regrets about him given where they are right now, as good as Gundogan has been for the reigning Premier League champions.