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Julian Draxler, who won the 2014 FIFA World Cup with Germany, has admitted he still thinks about his decision to reject a move to Liverpool earlier in his career. Now plying his trade for Qatari side Al Ahli at the age of 32, Draxler was once on Liverpool's radar during Jurgen Klopp's tenure at Anfield.
Back then, he was a key player for VfL Wolfsburg but opted to sign for Paris Saint-Germain in a £37m deal in January 2017. The German international spent five fruitful years in Paris before joining Benfica for the 2023/23 season and subsequently moving to Qatar in September 2023.
During his time with PSG, he made 198 appearances, netted 26 goals, clinched four Ligue 1 titles, four Coupe de France and three Coupe de la Ligue, and was part of the squad that fell short in the 2020 Champions League final. However, his decision to turn down Liverpool coincided with the club's rise under Klopp.
Liverpool qualified for the Champions League for the first time under Klopp in 2017, lost in the final to Real Madrid the following year and were then crowned European champions in 2019. While Draxler was at PSG, Liverpool also secured the Premier League, FIFA Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and European Super Cup.
Liverpool weren't the only Premier League club vying for Draxler's signature, with Arsenal also expressing interest in the playmaker while he was still at Schalke 04. Now aged 32, he insists he has no regrets about failing to join either Liverpool or Arsenal.
Nevertheless, he does confess to questioning what might have transpired had he moved to the Premier League.
"There are several," he replied when BILD asked him, as reported by Sport Witness, whether there was a moment in his career he wished he could revisit and choose differently.
"When I was still very young at Schalke and extended my contract, I could have gone to Arsenal. Honestly, I'd be interested to see what would have become of me if I had learned from Arsene Wenger so early.
"I've also wondered what would have happened if I hadn't gone from Wolfsburg to Paris, but to Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. I had that opportunity, too. Nevertheless, I'm happy. I'm at peace with my decisions."
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