Ilkay Gundogan hugged by Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool boss welcomes Manchester City star back to action after his nine-month injury layoff

  • Ilkay Gundogan returned to Man City squad after nine months out on Saturday
  • The midfielder suffered a serious knee injury against Watford in December
  • But he was named on the bench for City's Premier League game with Liverpool
  • As Gundogan warmed up he was hugged by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp
  • Gundogan and Klopp spent four years together at former club Dortmund

Ilkay Gundogan was embraced by former boss Jurgen Klopp as he made his return from a nine-month injury layoff on Saturday.

The Germany midfielder had been named as a substitute for Manchester City's lunchtime clash with Klopp's Liverpool.

It was Gundogan's first appearance in a matchday squad since December last year when he suffered a horrific knee injury against Watford.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp greeted Ilkay Gundogan warmly in Manchester on Saturday

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp greeted Ilkay Gundogan warmly in Manchester on Saturday

Klopp and Man City midfielder Gundogan shared a hug on the pitch at the Etihad Stadium

Klopp and Man City midfielder Gundogan shared a hug on the pitch at the Etihad Stadium

And Gundogan was welcomed back to the Premier League by Liverpool manager Klopp, who gave him a big hug during the warm-up at the Etihad Stadium.


Klopp signed Gundogan from Nurnberg in 2011 and the pair spent four years working together at Borussia Dortmund.

Gundogan won the Bundesliga title and German Cup under Klopp in 2012, before reaching the Champions League final a year later.

Before his debut season with City was interrupted by injury, Gundogan had made a strong start to life in Manchester.

He scored three goals and provided one assist in 10 Premier League games last term, as well as netting twice in six Champions League outings.

Gundogan had been named in a City squad for the first time since suffering a serious injury

Gundogan had been named in a City squad for the first time since suffering a serious injury

He had missed the last nine months with a knee problem
But he looked strong as he warmed up

He had missed the last nine months with a knee problem but he looked strong as he warmed up