World Cup winner admits regret at rejecting Liverpool, saying "It would have been better"

Former Jurgen Klopp protege Mario Gotze has revealed he regrets rejecting the opportunity to sign for Liverpool in 2016, admitting "it would have been better" than returning to Borussia Dortmund.

Klopp turned BVB into a swashbuckling, title-winning side that almost won the Champions League in 2013 against Bayern Munich.

Ilkay Gundogan gave Dortmund a lifeline, scoring a penalty after Mario Mandzukic's opener before Arjen Robben dealt a death blow by scoring the winner.

Gotze was a key part of the side Klopp put together that featured Marco Reus, Gundogan and none other than Robert Lewandowski.

He left to join Bayern in 2013 and before he returned to the Westfalenstadion in 2016, he was heavily linked with the Reds.

Klopp wanted to be reunited with the goalscoring playmaker but he rejected the Reds, preferring not to sign before Liverpool had qualified for the Champions League that season through the qualifiers.

It worked out in the end as Liverpool signed Sadio Mane that summer, who turned into one of the best wingers the Premier League has ever seen.

Now speaking about the decision, Gotze has admitted to feeling regret over rejecting Liverpool and says, "In retrospect, it would have been better" to move to Anfield and be reunited with his former mentor.

Liverpool have since gone on to climb back to their plinth at the top of English football and have now won more major trophies than any other club in the country.

Klopp has worked wonders with the Reds which has no doubt left Gotze ruing his decision but the Liverpool boss has shown that he only wants players that want to stay and play for the badge.

Philippe Coutinho left to join Barcelona in 2018 and while Klopp and FSG did their best to get him to stay, once he left, Liverpool went about their business, recruiting Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker and Fabinho alongside Xherdan Shaqiri and Naby Keita.

Liverpool have since gone on to win every trophy available at least once to establish this side as one of the best to have ever played in the Premier League.