Jurgen Klopp's comments on Jadon Sancho have resurfaced as the winger prepares to return to Borussia Dortmund.
After a nightmare spell at Manchester United, the winger is heading back to Signal Iduna Park on loan.
The England international has found himself completely frozen out by Erik ten Hag at United after refuting claims made regarding his training performance back in September.
His refusal to apologise led to him being ostracised from first-team proceedings.
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Dortmund, where Sancho shone in his previous spell, would appear to be the ideal destination for him to get his career back on track.
And one would suspect that Klopp would be pleased to see Sancho head back to his old club.
The 56-year-old has regularly spoken glowingly of the former Manchester City academy player.
In 2019, he talked up Sancho's ability but admitted a deal to sign him for Liverpool was too expensive.
As per The Mirror: "Buying English players is a smart idea because we would never have a chance to get Sancho.
"We are not blind – we saw him, we liked him and then we think: 'Can we get him?' No. Because English clubs don't sell to other English clubs. I don't know exactly what the reason is for that but they don't do it. Now they can go to Germany, which is a wonderful league."
A year later, with links to Liverpool still present, Klopp told Bild that Sancho would be a great signing but didn't expect a deal to be done.
He said: "The red shirt (of Liverpool) would suit very well. I don't think such a transfer will be possible this season. He (Sancho) is a very interesting player. (But) if he's coming to Liverpool I would be the most surprised of all of us."
"I don’t see that happening this summer because the football world is still not in the same place it was before.”
Ahead of facing Sancho and United in October 2021, Klopp came to the defence of Sancho following a tough start to life at Old Trafford.
"Jadon Sancho is a world-class talent. Definitely,” Klopp said.
“He has all the things you need to become really one of the best players in the world in the future.
“That's how it is, but he's still very young. At Dortmund, they were obviously full of praise for him. Rightly so.
Klopp continued: "I saw a lot of games where he played outstandingly well. It's a normal situation where you are, especially. I'm not, but you are, you lose patience a little bit quickly. Don't forget the options United have in his position.
“Jadon for sure can play in other positions.. but there's no space anymore...That's a problem you want to have as a manager to be honest. Everything will be fine for Jadon, but hopefully not on Sunday."
United are set to make a significant contribution to Sancho's wages at Dortmund, though an option to buy is said to be out of the question.
Topics: Jurgen Klopp, Jadon Sancho, Manchester United, Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund
Josh Lawless