Liverpool Transfer News: Mario Gotze Discussed by Roberto Firmino, Fresh Rumours

Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino believes Mario Gotze "would fit in well" at Anfield were he to make the switch from Bayern Munich over the summer. 

Having struggled to nail down a first-team spot at Bayern, Gotze has been widely linked with a move to Liverpool—among other clubs—and former Hoffenheim star Firmino would clearly welcome the 2014 FIFA World Cup winner's arrival on Merseyside, per Bild (via ESPN FC):

"Gotze I still know well from my time in Germany, when I played with Hoffenheim against Borussia Dortmund and Bayern. He has incredible qualities in attack. He would fit in well with us and will surely help us with his class also."

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Gotze, 23, emerged as a world-class star under current Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp when the pair were together at Borussia Dortmund, and he could surely be tempted by the chance to reunite with his former manager at Anfield.

Liverpool may also be able to offer the German forward UEFA Champions League football next season if they can beat Sevilla in Wednesday's UEFA Europa League final.

Per Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe, given Daniel Sturridge's consistent injury concerns, Gotze would be a fine addition in the Liverpool side, as he could slot in behind a more advanced Firmino:

Though he has underwhelmed since his €37 million (£31.5 million) move from Dortmund to Bayern in 2013, he has hardly been given a proper chance by manager Pep Guardiola.

Gotze has made only 11 Bundesliga starts in 2015-16—along with three appearances from the bench—netting three goals and providing four assists, per WhoScored.com.

As he showed under Klopp at Dortmund—and continues to show with the German national team and in flashes at Bayern—he is a hugely effective attacking threat who is able to run at defenders and link up brilliantly with those around him.

With the likes of Firmino, Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho, Gotze could form a devastating attacking unit at Anfield.

And he would add world-class quality to a squad that Klopp is attempting to mould into Premier League title challengers.

There would seemingly be little downside to Liverpool signing Gotze, and he should be affordable for the Merseyside club, with the Telegraph's Chris Bascombe reporting his value is around £20 million. 

Previously, their potential lack of Champions League football may have been a stumbling block to the deal, but that may not even be a consideration after Wednesday's clash in Basel, Switzerland.

And even if Liverpool lose to Sevilla in the Europa League final, the Reds are on an upward trajectory, which could prove vital in persuading Gotze to move to Anfield and rejoin Klopp as he continues his Premier League project.