Neven Subotic has sparked speculation over a reunion with Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool by announcing that he will leave Borussia Dortmund this summer.
In an emotional statement on his official Facebook page, the Serbian defender revealed that he intends to depart the Westfalenstadion after eight successful years.
The statement read: “Dear friends, last year I realised that my love of football in an active role on the pitch is too big to just be able to see it from the outside.
“I am now at the best age for a footballer and naturally want to use this time to bring me and my team forward every day and to have the feeling of being needed on the pitch.
“I don’t want to earn my money sat on the bench, but to be an active part of a story as I was until last year. I hope you can understand. BVB are the club of my heart and always will be.”
Subotic fell down the pecking order following the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as Klopp’s successor at the beginning of last season, playing only 11 times in all competitions in 2015-16.
The rest of his Dortmund career has been pretty distinguished. He has made 258 appearances and was a crucial part of the Klopp side which won successive Bundesliga titles at the start of the decade.
It is quite plausible that Klopp is considering adding the 27-year-old to his unit of centre-backs at Anfield, especially because of the uncertainty over the immediate future of Mamadou Sakho.
But Subotic’s statement should nip any rumours of a reunion in the bud immediately. He is seeking regular football and probably wouldn’t get that at Liverpool after a difficult spell with injuries.
Kolo Toure’s unfortunate departure means there could be space for a second new defender, with Joel Matip already on his way, but, unless Subotic changes his tune, it does not seem likely to be him.
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