Bayern chief claims Wirtz is 'one of many' at Liverpool as Araujo reveals death threats

Bayern Munich chief Uli Hoeness has publicly criticised Liverpool’s use of Florian Wirtz, claiming the Germany international would “play much better” at the Bundesliga club, while Liverpool loanee Ronald Araujo has revealed he received death threats that pushed him to a “breaking point” and forced him to step away from football.

Bayern chief fires broadside at Iraola over Wirtz

Hoeness, speaking to German outlet Welt, did not hold back in his assessment of Wirtz’s first season in England. “They haven’t integrated him properly at all,” Hoeness said. “In Leverkusen, he got every ball; in Liverpool, he’s just one of many.”

Bayern president Herbert Hainer echoed the sentiment, saying he felt “a little sorry” for Wirtz given the winger has yet to replicate the form he showed at Bayer Leverkusen. “We also need him for the German national team,” Hainer added.

Despite the pointed remarks, Hainer ruled out any prospect of Bayern pursuing a future move for the 22-year-old. “We have such a top-class squad, we’re incredibly happy at the moment, and therefore it’s not an issue for us,” he said.

The comments arrive as Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola prepares his side for a Premier League home fixture against Brighton. Iraola’s team returned to domestic action off the back of a dramatic Champions League comeback against Villarreal, overturning a 2-0 deficit to win 4-3. The Spaniard acknowledged his side have yet to win a Premier League game at Anfield this season but expressed confidence that the midweek result could provide a lift.

“I want to win games. At home, away, we need points, wherever we can get them,” Iraola said. “I think now we play at home, we are going to also play at home the next two games, so I would love to win them.”

Araujo opens up on death threats and mental health

Ronald Araujo, currently on loan at Liverpool from Barcelona, has spoken candidly about a harrowing period in his career that preceded his move to Anfield. After being sent off during Barcelona’s Champions League visit to Stamford Bridge, the 27-year-old Uruguayan defender received threats against his life and those of his family members.

The experience left Araujo in a deeply difficult mental state. “It was a very difficult time. I felt that what I needed to do was take a step back,” Araujo told The Times, describing the moment as a “breaking point” that led him to temporarily distance himself from the sport.

Araujo has since joined Liverpool on loan for the current season as he looks to rebuild his form and confidence away from the pressures that surrounded his time at Barcelona.