The German international has again been linked with a move to Liverpool
With much of the focus in recent seasons at Anfield being on Liverpool’s defence, it stands to reason that a new manager would bring a host of defensive targets from his homeland into the spotlight.
The obvious choice, of course, is Mats Hummels. The star man at Klopp’s former club and leading target for any club looking for a top international defender but after the new Liverpool manager ruled out moving for any of his former players the press have had to cast their collective net a little further when it comes to creating rumours.
And over the weekend another German international name popped up: Benedikt Howedes. The Schalke captain reportedly turned down a move to Arsenal over the summer but has been quoted as saying he’s still open to a move to the Premier League. Speaking to Bild, the Schalke defender said: “I am still keen on going abroad and playing in England is definitely a flattering option in this respect.
“Still I am with Schalke and I have a job to do at this club. I am not looking at any other thing actually.
“But, of course, some clubs are somehow more of interest from the point of view of a footballer than other clubs might be.”
The 27 year old has been a Schalke player his entire career, playing close to 300 games for the German side and is closing on his peak. A German international of 32 caps, Howedes would definitely be a welcome arrival if Klopp opted to move for the defender but considering he doesn’t specifically mention the club in the above quotes there doesn’t seem to be a great deal to this so don’t hold your breath.
