Manchester City star playmaker Ilkay Gundogan has heaped praise on Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp in the lead up to their UEFA Champions League clash with the Reds.
Gundogan was signed by Klopp to Dortmund back in 2011 at the age on 20. Under the German tactician’s stewardship, Gundogan won the Bundesliga and reached the UEFA Champions League final where he scored a goal.
However, Gundogan snubbed Klopp in favour of a move to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in 2016. The decision has not soured the relationship between the two.
The midfielder playmaker still credits Klopp for turning him from a promising young midfielder into a player of international class.
“I remember that I moved to Dortmund from Nuremberg (in 2011) when I was 20 years old,” Gundogan was quoted as saying by the Daily Star.
“It was a big step forward for me, because I was moving to Germany’s reigning champions.
“I came from a relatively small team and I struggled during my first six months to find my place there.
“I was a bit shy and, to be honest, I wasn’t brave enough do certain things. Thanks to the help of my team-mates, but with the help of Jurgen and his staff, too, I managed to improve.
“Jurgen played a very important role in all that and I’m very grateful to have played in that team at such a high level for so many years.
“I learned a lot, actually, and I managed to improve my game a lot, too. Those days left a mark on my career.”
Gundogan says that Guardiola’s obsession with detail and sky high standards was what tempted him to choose City instead.
“I’d always wanted to work with him,” he said.
“When the chance arose, I didn’t consider other options, to be honest.
“Pep has got a very clear way of playing, a very clear footballing philosophy. And he wants to introduce it at all costs.
“I’d never had such an obsessed coach in my career, but positively obsessed, of course. He’s got everything a coach needs.”
Gundogan made an appearance off the bench during Man City’s 3-1 victory over Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday. The 26-year-old is available for selection ahead of City’s trip to Anfield on Wednesday evening.