Liverpool chiefs felt Mario Gotze were using them earlier this summer.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was willing to offer £20 million for Gotze before the Euros.

But the Telegraph says Gotze's refusal to commit to a move before Euro 2016 meant Klopp looked to other options.

It's claimed Klopp felt his former Borussia Dortmund star regarded Liverpool merely as a back-up option and so their interest was ended.

Gotze had said before the Euros that his intention was to remain at Bayern Munich for the final year of his contract as he hoped to fight for a spot under new boss Carlo Ancelotti.