Transfer Centre

Jurgen Klopp: 'Liverpool did not need Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 31 January 2018

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp explains his reasoning behind not pursuing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang before his move from Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that he turned down the chance to chase Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang before the striker completed his switch to Arsenal on deadline day.

Aubameyang played under Klopp for two years during their time together at Borussia Dortmund, and Liverpool were often linked with the 28-year-old once it became clear that he was keen to leave the German outfit.

However, Arsenal were relatively unopposed in the transfer market as they completed the club-record signing of the Gabon international, and Klopp revealed that he decided against a move due to the attacking options already at his disposal.

"Auba is really a good guy. Of course, reading the newspapers, you ask yourself if all these things must happen," Klopp is quoted as saying by The Independent.

"But in fact things are mostly not that controversial as they are presented. In the end everybody will be happy. In the first half of the season he also scored often although last summer he wanted to go to China allegedly.

"He is a great player but he does not play in a position for which we urgently need new players."

Aubameyang could make his Arsenal debut when they host Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.