• Premier League

Mkhitaryan told joining Liverpool would be 'big mistake'

ESPN staff
July 2, 2013
Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been warned not to leave Shakhtar Donetsk © PA Photos
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Shakhtar Donetsk boss Mircea Lucescu believes it would be a mistake for Henrikh Mkhitaryan to join Liverpool, and hopes the Armenian midfielder changes his mind.

Mkhitaryan is heavily linked with a £25 million transfer this summer, but Lucescu says he cannot see the wisdom in joining a club not currently qualified for European competition.

"It is his decision, his desire, but there is still time for him to change his mind, because I think he is making a big mistake," Lucescu is quoted as saying in the Daily Mirror.

"I can understand the urge to leave if he has a chance to go to a club that surpasses Shakhtar, like Barcelona or Real Madrid, but not many clubs are beyond our level - not clubs like Liverpool or Tottenham.

"We are a strong club with 50,000 passionate supporters every week, and every year we are fighting for the league, the cups and the Champions League.

"The whole team is helping him become the player he is too, because everyone gives him the chance to show up in the penalty area and score the goals that make him wanted.

"This place is good for him, and he is making a mistake if he thinks there are many teams above this level."

Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham are also understood to be interested in signing Mkhitaryan, but the 24-year-old has reportedly decided on a move to Anfield instead.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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