Jurgen Klopp sent a message of congratulations to Manchester City's matchwinner on the final day victory over Aston Villa that saw the Blues pip Liverpool to the Premier League title.
City were 2-0 behind to Villa and at risk of Liverpool overtaking them on the last day to win the title themselves. At the time, Liverpool were drawing with Wolves, and were never top of the table at any point during the day, but they did go on to win at Anfield, meaning City had to come back to win themselves.
Led by substitute Gundogan, who halved the deficit on 75 minutes, City did exactly that in a six minute spell that ended with Gundogan scoring his second — and City's third — to earn the crucial three points for the Blues. Klopp was gracious in defeat after the game, and now Gundogan has revealed that the Liverpool boss reached out to him personally too.
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Gundogan himself sent a message to his former Borussia Dortmund manager Klopp immediately after full time, and it now seems that Klopp sent a message in return.
Speaking to Sport1, Gundogan said: "He was one of the first [to message]. We have always treated each other with the utmost respect. He had another very good season with Liverpool and made life extremely difficult for us. He's just an outstanding guy and coach, and he's shown that over the years."
Gundogan also spoke of the importance of his title-winning goal, and where it stands in his career — as well as downplaying his credentials to have a statue at the Etihad following his Villa goals.
He said: "Based on the ending, I would say yes [it was his most important goal] and definitely one of my most emotional ones. The goal in the 2013 Champions League final for Dortmund against Bayern was also important, even if it wasn't enough in the end.
"On Sunday, a great deal of pressure was lifted because we struggled so much over the entire 90 minutes and we knew that Liverpool was breathing down our necks.
"I need a few more crucial goals for [a statue], I think! I'm incredibly happy and proud that I was able to help the team with the brace. Above all, we were able to offer Fernandinho a perfect farewell."
