I told Florian Wirtz one thing before Liverpool transfer – ‘Don’t do this to us’

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Robert Andrich has revealed how he advised Florian Wirtz against signing for Bayern Munich

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Robert Andrich has revealed how he advised Florian Wirtz against signing for Bayern Munich before the Liverpool star opted for Anfield.

Wirtz eventually joined the Reds in June after the Premier League champions nudged ahead of Bundesliga title holders Bayern at the end of May and the £116m fee briefly made the attacking midfielder the most expensive player of all time on Merseyside.

German giants Bayern were jostling with Liverpool to sign Wirtz earlier this year and as the 22-year-old was weighing up his next move, his Leverkusen colleague Andrich told him to avoid a switch to Bavaria.

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Speaking on the Spielmacher podcast, Andrich said: “What did I tell him? ‘Please don’t go to Bayern!’

“I honestly thought he’d go there. I told him at some point: ‘Please don’t do it. Don’t do this to us’.

“You can say that for German football, we need German talents to stay here – but in the end there’s only Bayern Munich at the very top when we talk about quality like Flo’s.

“I wanted him to go abroad. I told the Bayern guys that, too. I was happy for him that he took the step. I wouldn’t have thought he’d dare to go abroad so soon.”

Wirtz had a tough start initially at Anfield as the Reds lost nine games in 12 during a period between late September and November but it’s been a strong showing in recent weeks from the gifted No.7.

Alongside goals against Wolves, Fulham and Barnsley in the FA Cup, Wirtz has provided assists for Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak and an equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Sunderland that was credited officially as an own goal.

Andrich says an adaptation period is normal for a young player moving countries, adding: “I don’t think it’s bad that he needs a little time.

“I know him well enough to know that it doesn’t bother him as much as one might think, because he simply has a very good environment with his parents and his family.”

Wirtz will be involved when the Reds host Burnley on Saturday afternoon at Anfield.