Friday 15 February 2019 10:58, UK
Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has revealed Jurgen Klopp came close to becoming the club's manager in 2008.
Liverpool welcome Bayern to Anfield on Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
But Hoeness has claimed things could have been very different, with Klopp a top target to replace Ottmar Hitzfeld 11 years ago prior to the appointment of Jurgen Klinsmann.
Klopp left Mainz that summer to take over Borussia Dortmund where he spent the next seven years, winning the Bundesliga title on two occasions, before joining Liverpool in 2015.
"Personally, I have a high opinion of Jurgen Klopp," Hoeness said.
"Many years ago we agreed on a collaboration together, but we ended up signing Jurgen Klinsmann instead.
"There I showed I respect him and his work a lot. It's going to be a tough task for both sides. I hope we'll come out on top."