Liverpool have been urged to reject any approach from Bayern Munich for Florian Wirtz, with former Reds midfielder Vladimir Smicer arguing that the Germany international should be given more time to establish himself at Anfield.
Wirtz joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in summer 2025 for an initial £100 million, with a further £16m potentially due in bonuses. However, his displays have not consistently matched the expectations created by the size of the fee.
Bayern Munich were interested in the 23-year-old before Liverpool completed his signing, and reports suggest the Bundesliga club could renew that interest if Wirtz becomes available.
Smicer wants Liverpool to keep Florian Wirtz
Smicer believes Wirtz can still make a significant contribution under manager Andoni Iraola and says Liverpool should resist selling him, either to Bayern or any other club.
“It’s important to know how Florian is feeling about his time at Liverpool and the Premier League,” Smicer said.
“I don’t know if he is happy here but I believe he can still unlock something and still do well for Liverpool.
“He is still very young and would like to see him play well for Liverpool and stay at the club for another few years so for me, at the moment, I wouldn’t sell him to Bayern Munich or anybody else.”
The former midfielder also suggested Wirtz’s creative work had not always been reflected in his statistics, pointing to passes that had not resulted in assists because team-mates failed to finish the chances created.
“He has more inside him and I think he will probably show it for Liverpool because he’s already been unlucky with some of his passes and other players not scoring goals,” Smicer said.
“He is not underachieving if those great passes became assists.”
Smicer added that the transfer fee had influenced how Wirtz’s performances were judged, rather than supporters assessing the player on his own merits.
“Some people are expecting a little too much from him, and I think some people are still seeing the fee that Liverpool paid for him rather than the player, and that’s the problem,” he said.
“It was the same with Paul Pogba at Manchester United.”
Liverpool must now decide whether to continue investing faith in Wirtz as he adapts to English football, with Smicer convinced the attacking midfielder can yet fulfil his potential at the club.
