Liverpool were close to signing Max Kruse in 2019, before Divock Origi’s heroics against Barcelona derailed the deal.
It was according to the German international himself, as he told the Spieltagssiegerbesieger – Der Kickbase podcast that a move to Anfield as Origi’s replacement was pretty much “fixed” until the Belgian saves his career at Liverpool.
Kruse said: “In my opinion it was relatively fixed. (Liverpool) actually wanted to give up two strikers and then one of the strikers scored goals in the Champions League semi-finals and final. was over. At that time, it was disappointing.
Now there has been an interesting development in the German’s career.
What is the story?
Well, Kruse finally joined VfL Wolfsburg in January, although he can now be signed for free after he and the Bundesliga side mutually agreed to terminate his contract on Monday.
The 34-year-old made five appearances in the German top flight before suffering a torn muscle which saw him miss VfL Wolfsburg’s final ten Bundesliga games before yesterday’s decision to part ways.
Kruse – who has scored 162 career goals – is now available to sign for free, although his injury means any team that signs him is taking a gamble, especially given his age.
Max Kruse surely wants Liverpool transfer to happen
As Kruse admits, he was ‘disappointed’ to see his move to Anfield fall apart.
Now the German is surely kicking himself that things didn’t go as planned.
Kruse has played for some great teams throughout his career, including Borussia Mönchengladbach, Werder Bremen, VfL Wolfsburg and Fenerbahce, although Liverpool would have been by far the best of the group.
Under the guidance of compatriot Jürgen Klopp, playing alongside stars such as Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, Kruse could have made a real impact in English football thanks to his technical ability and finishing qualities.
Unfortunately for him, Origi ruined things by saving his own career at Liverpool, and Kruse will surely be thinking ‘what if’ after VfL Wolfsburg terminated his contract.
In other news, ‘Exceptionally brilliant’: Gary Lineker left stunned by £20m Leeds player