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German football legend Lothar Matthaus(Image: Jurgen Fromme - firo sportphoto/Getty Images)

German football legend Lothar Matthaus has admitted his surprise over Florian Wirtz choosing to join Liverpool over Bayern Munich, but believes the midfielder has the talent to make it a successful move.

The 1990 World Cup-winner has also been critical of his former club over this 'most heavy, painful defeat' in the transfer market.

The ECHO understands that Liverpool have now opened talks with Bayer Leverkusen over what would be expected to end up as a new club-record transfer for the talented Wirtz.



An agreement has not yet been reached, but this is now a priority piece of business for Anfield chiefs to complete, looking ahead to the 2025/26 defence of the Premier League title.

As the situation first emerged, the Reds had established their interest and were waiting to learn the midfielder's decision for the next step in his career.

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It was widely reported on Friday night that Wirtz has given indication that a move to England over a cross-country switch is his preferred option.

"Personally, I also thought Florian would want to stay in Germany for the next few years.

Florian Wirtz believes in himself 100 per cent – and rightly so: I have absolute confidence in him that he'll make it at Liverpool and in the Premier League.

"He doesn't have to hide from anyone.

A year before the World Cup, the move is also a risk, a leap into the unknown – but his friends and family will certainly support him very well."

There was also comment to be made of his former club, with Matthaus taking particular aim at honorary president Uli Hoeneß and sporting director Max Eberl for the position Vincent Kompany's side have seemingly been left in.

"This is a defeat for FC Bayern, and for Uli Hoeneß personally, certainly the most painful in the transfer market in recent memory: He had repeatedly said that Wirtz was their absolute dream player, and that FC Bayern would pull out all the stops to get him.

Therefore, the rejection is also a heavy, painful defeat for Uli," the ex-midfielder condemned.

"Bayern Munich is often taking the plunge these days.