Daily Schmankerl: Robert Lewandowski credits Liverpool coach for development; Matthias Ginter can’t see anyone catching Borussia Dortmund; and MORE!

Lewandowski credits Klopp for self-belief and development as a player (Bundesliga.com)

In an interview with UEFA.com that was captured by Bundesliga.com, Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski gave his thoughts on his team’s upcoming tie with Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp.

I’m really looking forward to [meeting Klopp again]. He was a coach who also had a very big influence on my career and I can only be thankful to him. What we did together at Dortmund and the progress we made has brought us to where we are. I’m delighted I was able to get to know such a coach and such a person as Jürgen because he’s amazing – both as a coach and a person. I learned so much from him and that means a lot.

The Polish Hitman also credited Klopp for helping him gain the confidence needed to compete on the game’s biggest stage.

I think what I learned from him is the belief I could play at the highest level. He had this influence and it helped me take the next step. He made me realize that I had more potential than even I had imagined. He could see something in me that I couldn’t see.

Also, Klopp was a bit dumbfounded at the attitude in England where many think Liverpool is going to breeze through to the net round of the Champions League.

As a side note, Lewandowski was given the day off for training today to rest.

Mertesacker to make a return to the pitch (Tribal Football)

Arsenal academy director and former Germany international Per Mertesacker will make his (mostly symbolic) return to competitive soccer (at some point soon) for his hometown club TSV Pattensen.

Arsenal academy chief Per Mertesacker is already planning a playing return! Indeed, so much so that Mertesacker has been granted a playing registration in Germany. The ‘passport’ is associated with the German’s hometown club TSV Pattensen, where he intends to play the final games of his career.

He explained to LeineBlitz: “I always said that I wanted to stop where everything had started. I live in London and have just started my job as academy director at Arsenal. So I cannot say exactly when I’ll be there for the first time.”

Booth nails Super Bowl prediction (@FCBayernUS)

Taylor Booth tried to tell Meritan Shabani how things would play out in the Super Bowl, but his new German teammate came out on the wrong side.

Draxler looks inward at role with PSG (Ligue1.com)

Julian Draxler’s role with Paris Saint-Germain has shifted a bit this season under Thomas Tuchel and the versatile midfielder has thrived. Per an interview with psg.fr that was captured by Ligue1.com, the German international can also see areas where he can bolster his game.

“I think I can improve,” the 25-year-old told psg.fr. “Since Neymar and Mbappé have signed I’ve been more of a midfield runner, and even a No.6 in recent matches. I’m not a goal-machine like them or Edinson Cavani, but I think I’ve progressed, especially since Thomas Tuchel came in.”

Ginter is coming! Foals defender sees the writing on “the wall” for Bayern (Bundesliga.com)

Borussia Monchengladbach defender and Germany international Matthias Ginter gave an interview to Bundesliga.com where he laid out his thoughts on the title race in the league. When asked specifically about his own team waiting for Dortmund to slip up, Ginter gave an honest assessment of the table.

Not really. I think BVB are widely seen as the favorites for the title. You can’t rule out Bayern, though. They have so much quality, but I’ll be surprised if Dortmund don’t win it.

M’Gladbach is currently sitting ahead of Bayern and is in second place based on goal differential.

(You wanted more Game of Thrones references worked in there — sarcastically or not — and now the streak is at two days!)

Looking to catch-up on the Bundesliga action from the weekend? I’ve got you covered (The Barrel)

For a capsule-style recap of the Bundesliga’s weekend fixtures, just click here.