Jurgen Klopp will find a host of familiar names within his new squad at Liverpool, with three in particular interesting him while at Borussia Dortmund.
As an football obsessive, it is doubtful that many of Liverpool’s first-team players will be completely alien to prospective new manager Klopp, but the German will be familiar with three in particular.
During his time with Borussia Dortmund, Klopp worked alongside Michael Zorc, providing his input on the sporting director’s transfer targets.
Having failed to sign them during his time at the Westfalenstadion, Klopp will now be able to utilise the talents of this previously coveted trio.
Liverpool had supposedly followed £29 million summer signing Roberto Firmino‘s progress for “over a year,” according to the Brazilian.
On the back of a 2013/14 season in which he scored 16 goals and registered 11 assists in 33 Bundesliga games, Firmino garnered interest from both the Reds and Klopp’s Dortmund.
That is according to German publication Bild.
Dortmund were said to be preparing a £15 million bid to pair Firmino with fellow new signing Adrian Ramos, in an attempt to replace Robert Lewandowski, who joined Bayern Munich that summer.
Hoffenheim managed to hold on to Firmino for another season, however, before Liverpool secured his signing this summer.
Firmino will no doubt have endeared himself to Klopp with his high work rate and attacking prowess—and the German can now plot to utilise the 24-year-old on Merseyside.
According to the Mirror, Liverpool were vying with Dortmund for Divock Origi‘s signature after his impressive World Cup displays for Belgium last summer.
“The Germans have emerged as serious rivals to the Reds as both clubs look to tie up an £11 million deal,” wrote Neil Moxley.
Seemingly an alternative to Firmino, Moxley suggested that Klopp was targeting Origi as a “pacy forward” to operate alongside Ramos and Ciro Immobile.
Moxley even claimed that Origi “would favour a move to Germany.”
The Reds were eventually able to sign Origi after offering him to former club Lille in a season-long loan deal, and the 20-year-old has joined up with the Liverpool squad for 2015/16—but has so far found himself on the periphery.
If Klopp was interested in Origi’s pace and potential back in 2014, it is likely that he will feature under the 48-year-old at Anfield in the future.
Christian Benteke
Lewandowski’s departure significantly damaged Dortmund, but the club were seemingly preparing for his departure well in advance.
That is according to Christian Benteke’s agent Eris Kismet, who told ESPN in 2013 that the then-Aston Villa striker had attracted interest from Klopp’s side.
“I am aware of the Dortmund representation at Villa Park for the Chelsea match, but Christian is still a Villa player and nothing has changed on that point,” Kismet claimed.
“There were a lot of scouts from many teams who have an interest in Christian. Now Aston Villa‘s future in the Premier League is decided we will know more.
“It is natural for many teams to show an interest when Christian has had such a good season and scored many goals, but it is his first season in the Premier League.”
Dortmund’s interest in Benteke came during a season in which he scored 19 goals in 34 Premier League games.
The Belgian remained at Villa Park before making the £32.5 million move to Merseyside this summer.
In many ways, Benteke would have been the ideal replacement for Lewandowski due to his pace, power, strength and finishing ability, and Klopp will no doubt welcome him as a key player at Liverpool.
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