Liverpool Transfer News: Mario Gotze Urged to Ignore Reds by Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski has urged Bayern Munich team-mate Mario Gotze to remain with the Bundesliga giants amid speculation surrounding a potential move for the 23-year-old to Liverpool.  

Gotze has been out of favour at Bayern this season—he has started only six Bundesliga matches, per WhoScored.com—and he has never truly fulfilled his potential at the Allianz Arena since his big-money move from Borussia Dortmund in 2013.

Former Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp is reportedly eager to reunite with Gotze at Liverpool, but Lewandowski—also a former Borussia player—has told the Germany international to ignore the rumours in the press, per Joe Rimmer of the Liverpool Echo:

"

Mario proved during the international break that he is always capable of showing what he can do and that he is a great player.

He should not be reading what people say about him in the papers. He does not need all the extra pressure.

Mario knows how to deal with it, though. He is used to it. It is silly that there is so much talk about him.

He is a Bayern player, and he has plenty of games left until the end of the season to prove that he is good enough for Bayern.

He has plenty of time to prove his critics wrong. He should stay at Bayern for a long time because he is a great player.

"

Gotze made a stellar start to his career under Klopp at Dortmund as a youngster, but his progress has stalled somewhat at Bayern, per Sky Sports Football, citing WhoScored:

Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe believes Klopp could be the man to return Gotze to his peak form:

Indeed, the German manager has never made a secret of the fact he is a fan of Gotze, per football writer Dave O'Connell: "It is easy to know I like Mario Gotze. It was not the best day in my life when I heard he was going to Bayern Munich."

The 2014 FIFA World Cup winner could slot well into the Liverpool side alongside the likes of Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge.

However, it would be a bold choice from Gotze to consider making a switch to Liverpool, who are unlikely to be in the UEFA Champions League next season and have not won a league title since 1990.

He may also get further opportunities at Bayern next year, as Carlo Ancelotti is coming in to replace Pep Guardiola as manager.

Lewandowski's comments will likely come as something of a blow to Liverpool, but there is no guarantee the Poland striker will persuade Gotze to remain at Bayern if he has already decided to leave.

Gotze will likely need assurances from Ancelotti that he will get more game time next season if he is to remain past the summer.

He would be a fine addition to the Premier League and an exciting purchase for Liverpool under Klopp, but he may be inclined to move to a Champions League club if he does decide to leave Bayern.