Jurgen Klopp called me saying he wanted to sign me for Liverpool only to change his mind

Via echo

Max Kruse has revealed how Jurgen Klopp once called him up because he wanted to sign the forward for Liverpool, only to later change his mind

The 36-year-old joined Berlin District A side BSV Al-Dersimspor back in April, despite having announced his retirement the previous December after terminating his contract with SC Paderborn the month before.

While his professional career is now over, it was only five years ago when the Reds were interested in signing the Germany international.

Then on the books of Werder Bremen, he was out of contract at the end of the 2018/19 season but enjoying a prolific campaign

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The then-31-year-old’s form attracted the interest of Klopp, who was looking to sign a new back-up striker to support Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane

But despite calling up his compatriot and holding transfer talks, the former Liverpoolboss ultimately changed his mind following the Reds’ Champions League win over Tottenham Hotspur.

While Sturridge would still leave the club at the end of his contract that summer, Origi signed an extension after memorably netting against both Barcelona and Spurs

As a result, Klopp ended his interest in Kruse, who went on to sign for Fenerbahce on a free transfer instead.

The 36-year-old admits he had no interest in signing a contract extension with Werder Bremen after learning of Liverpool’s interest,

Kruse has revealed what he sent to Klopp after the transfer did not go ahead.

Kruse

“In February or March 2019 I got a phone call from Jürgen Klopp,”

It’s the truth! He said he was interested because they wanted to give up two strikers and wanted me as a backup for Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

“When you get that call, there’s no way for you to say, ‘I’m deciding today to extend my contract’, when you have even the small percentage of opportunity to play for Liverpool.

“As a footballer, when you hear that name, everything turns off.

“I played poker back then. And it didn’t work. In the end it became Fenerbahçe Istanbul. Back then, Liverpool was delayed until the Champions League final.

“After that, they wanted to keep the transfer candidate Divock Origi. I sent Klopp a photo with my shisha from vacation. And then the topic was over.”