Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus has praised Mario Gotze for rejecting Liverpool.

Gotze was expected to be on his way to Liverpool this summer before announcing this week he intended to stay and fight for a place in new Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti's plans.

And Matthaus told Express: "Respect for the decision. Finally he defends himself, he finally gets his elbows out and finally he is not so easy to write off. I've been waiting for this. He finally takes matters into his own hands.

"I do not know if he actually had an offer from Liverpool in his pocket, but why would he want to go to a club that did not even play in the Champions League?

"If he had gone to Liverpool, it would have been the easiest way out. But the easy way is not always the right solution. Mario has shown in his statements that he is ready to fight for his place. He wants to show what he can do for Bayern, a sign of maturity. I applaud him."