Brighton and Hove Albion star Pascal Gross has revealed he is a huge admirer of Jurgen Klopp - but admitted a move to Liverpool is unlikely.
The German midfielder has enjoyed an outstanding start to the new season with the Seagulls, picking up three goals and two assists in his opening six Premier League games as the south coast club started brightly. But respected manager Graham Potter has since left for Chelsea, to be replaced by former Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk boss Roberto De Zerbi.
His imperious performance in the 2-1 win against Manchester United on the opening weekend sparked rumours of a move away before the end of the window - with fleeting speculation of a move to Liverpool. But despite his admiration for fellow German Klopp - and a dream of Champions League football - the 31-year-old thinks a move to Merseyside is unlikely.
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“I look from game to game. We are going a good way at Brighton,” Gross told Sport 1 when asked about a move to Liverpool. “I’m a normal, down-to-earth guy. And I’m happy where I am now. The Champions League is a dream, but you also have to look at what’s important to you.
“Maybe the daily routine at another club is not right and at Brighton everything is just right for me. I stand for consistency; the club has given me a lot and I want to achieve a lot more.
“I have a lot of respect for Jürgen Klopp. He is a coach that everyone looks up to. What he achieves in his clubs is breath-taking. But I’m realistic about that, too. I don’t think that will happen.”
Despite speculation over the summer, Liverpool’s apparent interest in the Seagulls midfielder seems unlikely, given Jurgen Klopp’s desire to re-balance an ageing midfield group. The Reds boss instead signed off a season-long loan for Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo, who joined on deadline day.
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