At the age of 23, Mario Gotze has already seen plenty in his fledgling career.Lauded as the finest German talent of the Millennium, Gotze has five league titles to his name already and scored the winning goal for Die Mannschaft in their 2014 World Cup final win over Argentina.
The good and great of German football have taken turns to laud his talent, and the creative midfielder has, since his Bundesliga debut against Mainz in November 2009, been seen in his homeland as a future Ballon d’Or winner.
His growth on a personal level followed the upward trajectory of a young, daring Dortmund side, of which he became a key part. He emerged as a central hub of the side’s attack, devilish when transitioning from defence to attack, but also adept at unpicking locks against packed defences.
His progression to Bayern Munich in 2013 appeared to be the natural course of events taking shape. The personal honours looked sure to follow. However since moving to Bavaria, Mario Gotze’s club career has been on a downward spiral. The Germany international has gone from being the boy wonder at the Westfalenstadion to a bench-warmer at the Allianz Arena.
Aside from netting the winner in a World Cup final in 2014, the 23-year-old has had little to cheer about during his time in Munich. However, the arrival of Ousmane Dembele at Dortmund has paved the way for a Premier League move for Gotze, with a reunion with former boss Jurgen Klopp looking increasingly likely.
With Christian Benteke very likely to leave in the summer following a disappointing spell with the Reds, a versatile midfielder with Bundesliga and World Cup winning pedigree in Mario Gotze for £20 million sounds like a bargain for Liverpool. With Gotze having all the qualities and experience of the high-pressing football Klopp has brought to Merseyside, his move to Liverpool could benefit both parties.
Gotze has been deployed in different positions within various formations at club and country level. Such versatility will come in handy for Liverpool, giving Klopp a number of formations to choose from. Here are three ways Klopp could use him if his former protégé arrives at Anfield.
Playing central
When Shinji Kagawa left Dortmund for Manchester United , Klopp shifted Gotze seemlessly from a position on the flank to a central role. Marco Reus was signed to play from the left, and Gotze was given a roving role from the No.10 position. His arrival would hand Klopp a further, enhanced option, for his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation at Anfield.
Shifting Firmino further forward
With Christian Benteke looking increasingly likely to leave this summer and Daniel Sturridge’s injury problems ongoing, some of Liverpool’s best performances this term have featured Roberto Firmino playing at the tip of their attack, most notably the 4-1 win at Manchester City. Increasingly, that position seems to be getting the best out of the Brazilian also. As such, shifting Firmino forwards and sliding Gotze alongside Coutinho in the 4-3-2-1 formation which Klopp has most notably used away from home is another option.
Playing Gotze in the hole behind Sturridge and Origi/ Firmino in a diamond formation
Sitting at the top of a midfield diamond, Gotze could be the fulcrum of Liverpool’s attack in a 4-4-2 formation that will see the German feeding the Reds’ front men, Sturridge, Divock Origi and Firmino. Emre Can, Coutinho and Jordan Henderson will complete the midfield diamond in a formation that could take shape for the Reds upon the arrival of Gotze. The Bayern man will add more unpredictability to a Liverpool attack likely to be based on high pressing, quick movement and constant inter-changing.
Something Guardiola experimented with in his debut season at Bayern, before Lewandowski’s arrival. Gotze didn’t look overly comfortable, but he has also become more reliable in the penalty area since, growing a poacher’s instincts and knowing when to take a shot.
Mario Gotze’s positional versatility will give Liverpool an impetus to go the distance to bring home their man as they look to build a squad worthy of mounting a title challenge next season.
Manchester United Women welcome Bayern Munich Women to Old Trafford on Wednesday night for the first leg of their Women’s Champions League quarter final showdown. The Red Devils have reached the last eight for the first time in their history after thrashing Atletico Madrid 5-0 across two legs in the knockout playoff round following their sixth place finish in the league phase.
Marc Skinner’s side have struggled for consistency since eliminating the Spanish side, suffering defeats to Chelsea in the FA Cup and League Cup final before being held to a dispiriting stalemate by West Ham. Fortunately, Melvine Malard struck deep into stoppage time against Everton on Saturday to snatch victory and lift United into second spot in the WSL table ahead of this crucial European fixture.
Kick-off: 20:00 GMT, Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
TV: TNT Sports
German Champions Riding Wave of Momentum
Jose Barcala’s Bayern side swerved the playoff round entirely by securing fourth spot in the league phase, edging out both Arsenal and Manchester United by a single point. The Bavarians are hunting their maiden Champions League crown while also chasing domestic glory in the Frauen Bundesliga and DFB Pokal after lifting the Super Cup earlier this season.
Bayern butchered Essen 5-0 last weekend with Pernille Harder bagging a brace, stretching their unbeaten streak to an intimidating 22 matches across all competitions. The visitors have plundered 18 goals while conceding just once in their previous six away fixtures, establishing themselves as clear favorites.
Skinner Sweating Over Miyazawa Availability
United will definitely be without Anna Sandberg, Leah Galton, and Ella Toone through various injuries, while fitness concerns linger over Dominique Janssen and Jayde Riviere. Hinata Miyazawa faces a race against time after representing Japan in their Asia Cup final triumph over Australia in Sydney on Saturday.
Bayern expects to miss Klara Buhl, Katharina Naschenweng, and Alara Sehitler, with Lena Oberdorf and Sarah Zadrazil still rehabilitating from serious knee ligament damage.
Predicted Lineups: Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Tullis Joyce, Awujo, Le Tissier, Turner, Lundkvist; Naalsund, Zigiotti Olme; Park, Terland, Rolfo; Malard
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Mahmutovic, Gwinn, Viggosdottir, Gilles, Simon; Amani, Stanway; Dallmann, Caruso, Kett; Harder
Also read: Hanna Lundkvist Makes Feelings Known After Manchester United Women Stalemate Against West Ham
Bayern Munich
Georgia Stanway Gives Update on Future, Post Bayern Munich Amidst Arsenal Rumours as England Midfielder Says She is Very Close to Announcing New Club
England midfielder Georgia Stanway has given more details about her plans after she leaves Bayern Munich this summer. The 27 year old has spent four years in Germany and is now linked with a move back to the Barclays Women’s Super League, having announced her intention to depart the Frauenbundesliga at the end of her contract.
Ahead of the Lionesses’ meeting with Ukraine in Turkey on Tuesday afternoon, Stanway said she was very close to announcing her new club. “I’m very close. I’ve had lots of talks with people, also talks with Sarina, and you’ll find out sooner or later,” she told journalists.
Enjoyed Successful Seven Year Stint at City
Stanway enjoyed a successful seven year stint at Manchester City before joining Bayern, but she has been repeatedly linked with Arsenal this year. The Gunners are believed to be front runners for her signature as they look to strengthen their midfield options ahead of next season.
Stanway also reflected on how much she had enjoyed her time at Bayern and how challenging it had been to make the decision to leave. “It was really difficult. I’ve absolutely loved my time at Bayern. Honestly, joining the club has probably been one of the best decisions I ever made in my life. From the moment I got there, it felt like home.”
Never Want to Get Over It
The England international continued, “It was a really difficult decision to tell them that I wasn’t going to be re-signing, and that’s because I still love it there. I’ve kind of come to the conclusion that I want to always have good memories at Bayern. I never want to get to the point where I’m not enjoying something, or I’m a little bit over it.”
Bayern face Manchester United in the quarter finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League later this month, with Stanway hoping to end her German adventure on a high note.
Bayern Munich
West Ham WFC Sign Norway International From Bayern Munich WFC as Experienced Defender Becomes Fourth January Signing for Struggling Hammers
West Ham have signed Norway international Tuva Hansen from Bayern Munich as Rita Guarino continues to strengthen her struggling squad. The 28-year-old defender switches to the Women’s Super League, having won three consecutive Frauen Bundesliga titles in Germany and played in the Champions League.
With 60 international caps, Hansen has also represented her country at the World Cup and Euros. This is exactly the kind of experienced, winning mentality player West Ham desperately needs as they battle relegation from the WSL. Hansen is the Hammers’ fourth signing of this month’s transfer window, following Estelle Cascarino, Ria Bose, and Anna Josendal.
Leadership Qualities and Winning Mentality
Club head coach Guarino praised Hansen’s qualities. “Tuva has been a key player for her previous club and the national team over many years, and I’m sure she will be a real asset for this group. She will bring leadership qualities, versatility and game management both in and out of possession.”
This is smart recruitment from West Ham, who sit second bottom of the WSL table with just five points from 13 matches. Adding a player with Hansen’s pedigree and experience could be crucial to their survival hopes.
Three Bundesliga Titles Before WSL Switch
Hansen moved to Bayern Munich in January 2023 after claiming two Toppserien league titles in Norway with SK Brann. She has been a key part of Bayern’s dominance in Germany over the past three years, winning the Bundesliga in each of her seasons at the club.
“The WSL has grown a lot over the last couple of years so I’m excited by the challenge and to test myself against the best teams in the world,” Hansen said. Neither the length of the deal nor any transfer fee were announced, but this signing represents a major coup for West Ham in their fight for survival.
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