Mario Götze Reflects on Missing Out on ‘Special Journey’ with Klopp at Liverpool | OneFootball

Mario Götze Reflects on Missed Opportunity with Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool

In his column for The Player’s Tribune, Mario Götze opened up about one of the biggest decisions of his career—the moment he chose to stay at Borussia Dortmund over a move to Liverpool in 2016. This candid reflection, titled “A Letter To My Children”, not only sheds light on Götze’s close relationship with Jürgen Klopp but also highlights the deep admiration he has for the Liverpool manager. The story serves as a poignant reminder of what might have been and what Götze missed out on—a “special journey” with one of football’s most transformative managers.

Götze’s career has been one of extreme highs and lows. From his rise to prominence under Klopp at Dortmund, winning two Bundesliga titles and reaching a UEFA Champions League final, to his time at Bayern Munich, where he struggled to find his rhythm, Götze’s journey has been turbulent. After a return to Dortmund in 2016, he found himself reflecting on his past decisions, particularly one regarding a potential move to Liverpool.

Heartfelt Meeting with Jürgen Klopp

In 2016, Götze was at a crossroads. Klopp, having just moved to Liverpool, saw the potential in his former protégé and wanted him to join him at Anfield. Götze recalls, “I went to his house in Liverpool. We sat down together in the living room with our wives.” It was during this meeting that Klopp’s sincerity shone through. “What makes Jürgen special is that he sees Mario the person,” Götze said. Klopp wasn’t just discussing football; he was asking Götze about life in general, showing genuine concern for his well-being off the pitch.

Photo: IMAGO

Klopp’s words were both encouraging and persuasive, “Look, Mario, you’ll play a lot, and you’ll have fun here. I know that’s the most important thing for you. The club is amazing. Have a think about it.” Despite Klopp’s earnestness, Götze chose Dortmund. He admits, “I also wanted to win things right away. Liverpool had just finished eighth in England, and Dortmund had come second in Germany.” At the time, he felt a move to Liverpool wasn’t the right choice given the club’s recent struggles.

Regret and Reflection

Reflecting on his decision now, Götze acknowledges that he missed out on something special. “I didn’t understand that he needed time to build a great team at Liverpool,” Götze admitted. He now recognises the value of patience, something that Klopp’s project at Liverpool ultimately required. Götze’s hindsight is clear: “There was not really any need for me to play in the Champions League right away.”

While Götze was focused on immediate success, Klopp’s vision for Liverpool was a long-term one, and as history shows, Klopp’s patience paid off. Liverpool would go on to win the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020, successes that Götze would have been part of had he made the move to Merseyside.

Götze’s choice to remain at Dortmund was based on an understandable desire for success. However, his regret now speaks to a more profound understanding of Klopp’s vision—a journey that would take time, but ultimately deliver the silverware that Götze so yearned for in 2016.

Liverpool’s Rise under Klopp

Had Götze joined Liverpool in 2016, it’s easy to imagine how he might have fit into Klopp’s high-energy, pressing style. Known for his versatility and intelligence on the ball, Götze could have brought creativity and flair to Liverpool’s midfield, a quality they arguably lacked in those early years under Klopp. However, Götze’s decision to stay at Dortmund allowed Klopp to focus on building his team, laying the foundations for Liverpool’s future dominance.

Photo: IMAGO

Liverpool’s rise since then has been remarkable, with Klopp’s methodical, patient approach transforming the team into one of the best in Europe. From heartbreak in the 2018 Champions League final to ultimate triumph in 2019, Liverpool’s success has been built on a collective ethos, hard work, and belief in Klopp’s long-term vision. Götze, as he reflects, missed out on being part of this transformative journey.

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Reading Götze’s words offers a sense of bittersweet nostalgia. Götze’s regret over not joining Liverpool under Klopp is poignant, particularly given the monumental success the club achieved shortly after he chose to stay at Dortmund. Had Götze made the move, it’s easy to imagine how he could have contributed to Liverpool’s attacking play, adding another layer of creativity to a midfield already brimming with talent. His vision and technical ability would have complemented the relentless energy of the team.

However, Klopp’s brilliance lies in his ability to build a squad that functions as a collective unit, rather than relying on individual stars. Götze’s story is a reminder of how crucial patience and faith in a manager’s long-term project can be. Klopp’s evolution of Liverpool was not built on quick fixes, but on a vision that eventually saw the club rise to the top of Europe. While Götze’s choice to remain at Dortmund might have made sense at the time, Klopp’s journey with Liverpool has been a spectacular success—one that Götze, like many others, could have been part of.

Liverpool fans today can be thankful for Klopp’s patience, perseverance, and the incredible squad he’s built. Götze’s missed opportunity is just one of many moments in football where timing plays a crucial role. For now, we can only imagine how Götze might have fit into Liverpool’s team under Klopp, but it’s clear that both the player and the club have enjoyed success in their own right.