HERBERT HAINER SAYS BAYERN MUNICH HAS NO WIRTZ PLANS

Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer said the club does not plan to sign Florian Wirtz from Liverpool amid discussion of a January move. “We have such a top-class squad, we’re incredibly happy at the moment, and therefore it’s not an issue for us,” Hainer said. He called Wirtz “an outstanding player” but said he had not reached the form he showed at Bayer Leverkusen. Hainer said Germany also needed Wirtz for its national team.

Liverpool signed Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for around £116m in the summer of 2025. Bayern Munich and Manchester City also pursued him before he joined Liverpool. Discussion of a possible departure has followed his performances in England, with Bayern Munich mentioned as a destination. Nicky Butt said Liverpool might sell Wirtz if the club could recover a sum close to what it paid. Butt said Wirtz could return to Germany or join a club in Italy.

Liverpool face Brentford in the Premier League before hosting Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday. Andoni Iraola’s side can secure a third win in three Champions League matches. Bradley Barcola scored a hat-trick in Liverpool’s 6-3 win at LASK last Wednesday. Ryan Gravenberch can return after serving a one-match ban following his dismissal against Manchester City.