Liverpool have dodged transfer bullet after Borussia Dortmund chief’s comments

Former Liverpool transfer target Donyell Malen has been slammed by Borussia Dortmund boss Marco Rose and director Michael Zorc following his slow start to life in Germany

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Liverpool appear to have dodged a bullet in the wake of former transfer target Donyell Malen’s miserable start to life at Borussia Dortmund.

The Reds were heavily linked with a summer move for the exciting young Dutch star, with Jurgen Klopp known to be in the market for attacking reinforcements.

But a move to Anfield failed to materialise and Malen instead joined Dortmund as a replacement for Jadon Sancho.

There were high hopes for the 22-year-old following his arrival in Germany. But four months on, Malen has struggled to live up to those expectations.

And he’s now been blasted by his boss, Marco Rose, and Dortmund director of football Michael Zorc over his failure to adapt to the demands of the Bundesliga.

Have Your Say! Do you think Liverpool dodged a bullet by passing on Donyell Malen? Comment below

“Donny isn’t showing what we had hoped for,” Dortmund director of football Michael Zorc told Kicker magazine recently. “He doesn’t look like scoring enough and is offering too little. We have to work on that with him.”

Although Rose’s comments weren’t as brutal as Zorc’s the Dortmund chief did concede that Malen has work to do in order

“Donny needs to adapt to the Bundesliga, to the pace, to the physicality,” added Rose. “But he needs to work on his mindset as well. It’s important that he presses with high energy, to get into dangerous situations that way. He needs convincing that that’s important for him.”

Malen has registered just one goal and two assists from his 17 appearances for Dortmund since his arrival from PSV Eindhoven.

Those numbers are disappointing compared to the numbers he managed during his breakout season at PSV last year, where he fired 19 goals in just 32 Eredivisie games.

That form captured the attention of a host of European heavyweights – including Liverpool.

But the Anfield hierarchy are likely to be relieved they didn’t take a punt on the attacker following Malen’s slow start to life in Germany; especially considering the scathing comments on his mentality by Rose.

Malen has already spent time in England following a brief spell with Arsenal as a teenager.

The Netherlands star linked up with PSV after two years in London, and it’s with the Dutch giants that he forged his reputation as one of the most prolific young forwards in Europe.

Ironically, after being signed to plug the gap left by Sancho’s departure to Manchester United, the duo have both struggled this year; although, unlike Sancho, Malen has at least registered some returns in front of goal.

Although Liverpool passed on striking a deal for Malen, they do appear to still be in the market for attacking reinforcements.

And that could put Liverpool on another transfer collision course with Dortmund.

Both the Reds and Dortmund have been linked with a move for RB Salzburg striking prodigy Karim Adeyemi over the past few weeks.

Ironically, it’s Malen’s poor form that has sparked Dortmund’s interest in Adeyemi.

The 19-year-old striker is set to be on the transfer radar of a host of Europe’s biggest clubs this summer, with Dortmund likely to swoop given Erling Haaland is expected to seal a move away from Germany next year.