Liverpool Transfer News: Jurgen Klopp Denies Marco Reus, Ilkay Gundogan Rumours

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has insisted he has no desire to lure any of his former Borussia Dortmund players to Anfield, including Marco Reus and Ilkay Gundogan.

The pair have both been linked with moves to Merseyside since Klopp was confirmed as Liverpool boss. But when quizzed on the prospect, the Reds boss was adamant he would not be looking to raid his former employers and that he’s yet to start thinking about any transfer plans, per Bild (h/t Jack Gaughan of the MailOnline):

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I have no intention whatsoever to lure Dortmund's stars to Liverpool. ...

I am not interested in how much money I will be allowed to spend in January. It is only October and I don't even know how many games there are left until the winter. But we clearly have plenty of games left and we will be taking a look at our own players first.

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According to Gaughan, Klopp’s words “also extend to Neven Subotic and Mats Hummels.” However, the Sun claimed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is on the new Liverpool boss' radar.

Despite that, Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke echoed Klopp’s sentiments. “Jurgen would never do anything that would damage BVB's interests,” he told Bild (h/t James Dickenson of the Daily Express). “I am 100 per cent certain about that. He would never approach any players behind our back.”

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Still, rumours linking Klopp with moves for former players are natural. After all, given how well the likes of Reus and Gundogan developed under the guidance of the 48-year-old, the chance to work with him once again would surely be a tantalising proposition for the duo.

The Anfield Chat thinks signing the pair could definitely be on the cards for Liverpool now Klopp has been installed as the manager:

Reus would certainly add a penetrative edge from the flanks that Liverpool currently lack. At Dortmund, Klopp set his teams up with plenty of cutting edge out wide, with the Germany international and Jakub Blaszczykowski proving to be a fine foil for the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Mario Gotze.

As Tom McMahon of This Is Anfield picked up on during Klopp’s press conference on Friday, he doesn’t seem completely convinced by the wide players at the club:

That’s because direct qualities are not something Liverpool have in abundance, meaning Reus would be a wonderful capture. So too would Gundogan, who is the perfect central midfielder for the high-octane style that Klopp looks to get his teams to play.

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However, according to Spanish football journalist Rafael Hernandez, the Reds could face stiff competition for both players if there is any genuine interest:

One of Klopp’s key qualities is building an affinity with his players and staff, and you suspect a manager like him, who is clearly principled, wouldn’t be completely at ease looking to poach key figures from his former club. Instead, he’ll surely be looking to isolate players with the potential to become the next Reus or Gundogan.

That’s where he excelled for Dortmund, and for a club such as Liverpool, which currently doesn’t have the financial might to compete with the juggernauts of European football, the ability to spot a player and turn him into a superstar will be critical if he is to have similar success on Merseyside.