Inter Milan midfielder Piotr Zielinski has described the lengths Jurgen Klopp went to in an effort to bring him to Liverpool in 2016.
The Poland star was seen as a crucial piece of Klopp's plan to transform the Anfield club following his arrival in October 2015 after he had impressed during a two-year loan in Italy with Empoli.
The deal ultimately never materlised, with Zielinski joining Napoli, while the Reds acquired Georginio Wijnaldum from Newcastle. The 30-year-old has opened up on Klopp's attempts to lure him to Merseyside, which included a lavish plane ride and effusive praise.
'Jurgen Klopp invited me to his house,' Zielinski told FootTruck. 'Liverpool sent a private jet to pick me up. I was shocked because it was the first time I travelled on that means of transport. When we landed, we took the bus to go to Klopp's. It was a building, he had everything there.
'The conversation was great. Klopp told me that I am a mix between [Cesc] Fabregas and [Ilkay] Gundogan in his opinion. I didn't understand anything, but my agent spoke German and told me everything. When we were leaving, I managed to take a picture with Klopp.'
Inter Milan midfielder Piotr Zielinski has opened up on Jurgen Klopp's attempts to lure him to Anfield in 2016
The former Liverpool boss identified the Poland midfielder as a key addition to his ideal team
According to Zielinski, Klopp compared him to Cesc Fabregas and Ilkay Gundogan (pictured), who he managed during his time at Borussia Dortmund
It was another picture that later caused a stir, when Zielinski was caught sporting a Reds jersey with his name and the number 10 on the back. The midfielder insisted that this was not the reason why the transfer fell through, instead claiming it was simply a matter of finances.
'They offered €18.5million, but Udinese wanted something more,' he said. 'Nevertheless, Liverpool couldn't exceed a certain limit for me, as I wasn't a top player yet. The other side of the coin is that I also didn't feel like that.
'I don’t think [the picture in Liverpool’s shirt] had any effect. It wasn’t a big scandal, but [journalist] Bartosz Ignacik could’ve avoided all that. I was young, stupid and unaware and that’s the way it ended up. But it didn't have any effect.'
Zielinski went on to have a successful time in southern Italy, appearing 364 times for Napoli and helping them claim their first league title in 33 years in 2023.
The 30-year-old went on to sign for Napoli, where he enjoyed eight successful seasons and won Serie A in 2023
The Reds also had no regrets from their signing of Wijnaldum. The Netherlands international spent five years at Anfield and was a crucial part of the side that lifted the Champions League and Premier League.
Zielinski has made four appearances for Inter in the league since his free transfer from Napoli in the summer.