Jurgen Klopp doesn’t often look back on transfer decisions with regret. But when it comes to one name — Son Heung-min — the former Liverpool boss admits it still stings.
In an old interview with South Korean outlet KBS News, Klopp opened up about the one move that got away.
“One of the biggest mistakes in my life is not signing Son Heung-min,” Klopp said. “He is fantastic, a sign of Korean football and one of the best strikers in the world.”
At the time, Son was lighting up the Bundesliga with Hamburg. Klopp, then managing Borussia Dortmund, wanted him badly. But the young forward chose Bayer Leverkusen instead.
“I wanted to stay in the Bundesliga,” Son later explained. “Both Dortmund and Leverkusen wanted me, but I thought Dortmund would use more rotation. It was important for me to play regularly.”
That decision set Son on a path that eventually led to Tottenham Hotspur—where he became one of the Premier League’s most consistent attackers. Over the years, he’s delivered dazzling moments, sharp finishes, and plenty of heartbreak for Liverpool fans.
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The one that slipped through Jurgen Klopp’s fingers
Klopp, known for spotting talent early, reportedly kept an eye on Son even after missing out on him in Germany. The admiration was mutual, with Son often speaking highly of Klopp’s coaching style and passion.
Now 33, Son is enjoying life in Major League Soccer with LAFC. He’s scored eight goals and provided three assists in his first nine games —proof that his quality hasn’t faded one bit. But for Klopp, there’s still that “what if” hanging in the air.
Had things gone differently back in 2013, Son might have been lighting up Anfield rather than tormenting it.
Imagine the pace of Salah, the power of Mane, and the precision of Son — all under Klopp’s pressing machine. That’s a front line that would have given any defense sleepless nights.
Klopp’s words remind us that even football geniuses have their missed chances. For Liverpool fans, it’s a story that leaves both pride and a pinch of pain — knowing how close they came to having Son in red.
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