Former Germany midfielder criticizes Bayern star Gotze

Former Germany midfielder Mehmet Scholl has launched a stinging attack on Mario Gotze, branding him a shadow of the player he was at Borussia Dortmund and claiming he does not train enough.

Bayern Munich forward Gotze, who two years ago scored the winner in the World Cup final, has been linked with a move away from the Allianz Arena after struggling to hold down a first-team place under Pep Guardiola, with Liverpool, managed by his former Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp, reported to be interested.

The 23-year-old, who has missed a large chunk of the season through injury, scored in Germany's 4-1 friendly win over Italy on Tuesday night.

But speaking before the match former Bayern man Scholl, who won Euro 96 with Germany, said on ARD television: "Why can't he produce consistent performances? For me the answer is obvious - he has to train much, much more."

Scholl added: "I remember when he was very young at Dortmund. He was an arrow, he was so fast, he was so athletic. At the moment he is so far removed from that."

Gotze defended himself after the match, saying: "I didn't know that he observes my training, that he is always there. I think that I train enough."