Liverpool Transfer News: Mario Gotze's Bayern Munich Stay Backed by Joachim Low

Germany manager Joachim Low has encouraged Bayern Munich’s Mario Gotze to remain at the club next season despite strong links with a move to Liverpool.

The playmaker was not a regular fixture at the Allianz Arena under former manager Pep Guardiola, prompting speculation about a possible transfer away from the club. However, according to Low, new boss Carlo Ancelotti has spoken to the player and he now wants to stay and fight for his place, per Joe Rimmer of the Liverpool Echo:

"

I’ve been in constant contact with Mario and he’s kept me informed all the time.

He’s had a long talk with Ancelotti and I think a few falsities were said about that, but a coach can never give a guarantee and he told Mario that everybody starts from scratch from the start of the season under him.

Mario has had offers, but I always felt he is in Munich with his heart and he wants to prove himself there.

He told me he wants to stay in Munich and take his chance with the new coach and I think that’s a fine decision because it’s what his feeling tells him to do, so it’s the right decision for him.

"

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As noted by Rimmer, the Reds had been tipped to land the playmaker, with a possible reunion with manager Jurgen Klopp—who worked with the 23-year-old at Borussia Dortmund—seemingly a sensible move at this stage of his career. However, the prospects of such a deal coming to a fruition seem to have taken a hit.

Indeed, Gotze himself said earlier this week to Bild (h/t Sport Witness) that he “will do everything possible to be in top shape for my first training session” back at Bayern following the UEFA European Championships this summer.

While regular starts over a prolonged period have been scarce for the former Dortmund star, there have been moments of magic from him in Bayern’s side. Here are a few of them:

If Gotze does want to stay and fight for a spot, it illustrates a hunger a few have questioned. His playing style has always been a little too flyaway for Guardiola it seems, with the creator lacking the positional discipline to fulfill a specific tactical role. Ancelotti, by contrast, tends to allow his players a bit more freedom.

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

As a cerebral, adaptable and inventive footballer, there is definitely a role for Gotze at the Allianz Arena too. However, as this graphic from the Footy Accumulators Twitter feed illustrates, there’s a lot of competition for places at Bayern at the moment:

Low’s comments will be another setback for Liverpool fans, many of whom have been getting excited about the possibility of a player with genuine world-class quality coming to Anfield.

There have been times this term when the Reds have clicked into gear spectacularly in the final third, with the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino impressing. Although a player with the guile of Gotze would bring a completely different dimension to the attacking patterns, especially if Klopp could draw the kind of class the German produced under him at BVB.

PATRIK STOLLARZ/Getty Images

And despite all signs pointing toward another season at least for Gotze at the Allianz Arena, Bleacher Report’s Clark Whitney wouldn’t be surprised to see this saga take a twist:

Liverpool will hope so, as while they may not be able to offer UEFA Champions League football to the player next season, they do have Klopp, and Gotze will have fond memories of playing under the vibrant coach. He’s never quite found that spark since parting with his former boss in the summer of 2013.

Still, Gotze will feel as though there’s unfinished business at Bayern. He came to the club as the brightest star in a galaxy of emerging German talent and up to now has failed to live up to that reputation. If Ancelotti can help him make good on his potential, it’d be to the coach's benefit, the club’s and the player’s too. Sadly for those at Anfield, just not Liverpool’s.