Leverkusen Captain Robert Andrich Says He Urged Wirtz to Shun Bayern as Liverpool Form Rises

Overview

• Andrich says he told Florian Wirtz in the Leverkusen locker room, “Please don’t do it, don’t do this to us,” when Bayern pursued the midfielder.
• He says he did not want to strengthen a domestic rival and preferred Wirtz to move abroad, a view he says he relayed to Bayern figures.
• Wirtz ultimately joined Liverpool last summer in a high-profile transfer reported at €125m after Bayern had been considered frontrunners.
• Andrich, a Bayern supporter in his youth, says Wirtz needed time to adapt in England but has handled the transition well.
• Wirtz has registered three goals and two assists in his last six matches in all competitions, according to Andrich.