'Florian Wirtz made a big mistake joining Liverpool - I feel sorry for him'

Bayern Munich legend Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has taken a swipe at Liverpool's new signing Florian Wirtz, insisting the German international would have been better off joining the Bavarian giants. The 22-year-old midfielder snubbed Bayern to join the Reds in a whopping initial £100million deal from Bayer Leverkusen, much to the frustration of the Bayern hierarchy.

Despite making an assist on his debut for Hugo Ekitike in the Community Shield, Wirtz has faced criticism for his perceived slow start at Anfield. He is yet to make a significant impact in the Premier League and was criticised during the September international break. In a recent interview with Sky Germany, Wirtz dismissed suggestions that he needs time to adjust to life at Liverpool. However, Rummenigge, a former CEO and current board member at Bayern, has not held back in his criticism of Wirtz.

The 69-year-old, still smarting from missing out on the highly rated midfielder, has insisted that Wirtz made the wrong decision in choosing Liverpool over the Bundesliga champions.

"I have to say honestly, in the case of Florian Wirtz, it still hurts, I feel sorry for him," he confessed to Sport Bild. "Because I believe the player would have been better off at Bayern than at Liverpool."

"We could have signed [Nick] Woltemade. But I also have to say: Bayern Munich are wise enough not to engage in every kind of financial madness.

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"I've always said: We want to achieve sporting success, but please, in a serious and financially sound way.

"We have a top team, this year as well. And when the three players who are currently injured come back soon, then we'll have a great team."