Liverpool can make it four wins from four if they triumph over Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon
Florian Wirtz.
The Bayern Munich chief has made a bold claim regarding Florian Wirtz (Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Liverpool can keep in touch with the top four of the Premier League with a win over Brighton at Anfield.
The Reds host the Seagulls on Sunday afternoon as Andoni Iraola looks to make it four wins in a row. The Liverpool boss oversaw a 4-3 comeback victory over Villarreal in the Champions League, adding to their recent triumphs against LASK and Brentford.
However, Iraola is more than aware of the challenge that awaits his team at Anfield. Discussing Brighton's upcoming visit, he said: "They deserved all the praise they are getting and I think there is little doubt there. I think it’s a team that is very well coached, already I think it’s the third season of Fabian [Hurzeler]. They are very good in every phase of the game.
READ MORE: Andoni Iraola makes Florian Wirtz vow after Liverpool criticism - 'doesn't do him any favours'
"Without the ball they are, for me, one of the best teams and obviously with the ball also they have good quality and we have to be at our very best to beat Brighton because now they are with confidence. But I also see my team in a good place."
Here, the ECHOhas the latest headlines coming out of Anfield.
Bayern chief's claim
Bayern Munich chief Uli Hoeness maintained Florian Wirtz would "play much better" at the Bundesliga powerhouses than at Liverpool. He went so far as to suggest that Iraola hasn't devoted sufficient time to integrating the winger into his tactical approach and has allowed him to become "one of many" at the Reds.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info
When asked by Welt if he was "glad" to have missed out on signing the Germany international, Hoeness said: "No. Because Florian would play much better for us than he does at Liverpool. I watch a lot of the team's games. They haven't integrated him properly at all. In Leverkusen, he got every ball; in Liverpool, he's just one of many."
Uli Hoeness.
Uli Hoeness admitted Wirtz has become 'one of many' at Liverpool(Image: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Make sure you never miss the latest Liverpool FC news and opinion by making Liverpool Echo one of your Google preferred sources.
Bayern president Herbert Hainer echoed similar sentiments regarding Wirtz, adding: "I almost feel a little sorry for him that he hasn't yet reached the same form in England that he had at Leverkusen, because we also need him for the German national team."
Despite this, Hainer dismissed any possibility of a future transfer for the winger. He added: "We have such a top-class squad, we're incredibly happy at the moment, and therefore it's not an issue for us."
Star reveals death threats
Ronald Araujo has spoken candidly about the death threats he endured during a dark time that pushed him to a "breaking point." Prior to his loan switch to Liverpool being finalised in the summer, Araujo was sent off against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League with his parent club, Barcelona.
Following his dismissal, the 27-year-old was subjected to death threats aimed at both himself and his family, forcing him to step away from the game. Reflecting on his mental state at the time, Araujo told The Times: "It was a very difficult time. I felt that what I needed to do was take a step back. I hadn't felt right for a long time, and I wasn't enjoying the thing I love most, which is football.
Ronald Araujo.
Ronald Araujo faced death threats during his time before joining Liverpool(Image: Lewis Storey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
View 3 Images
"I made the decision after being sent off at Stamford Bridge because that was the breaking point. I just couldn't carry on any longer, but it wasn't down to any one particular incident. A lot of things had been building up, particularly in my personal life, and I didn't know how to deal with them.
"I realised I had to put my hand up, ask for help and talk not just to the people closest to me, but to professionals as well. Sometimes you bottle things up and try to be the strong man, but in life you have to talk about things and open up about what you're going through."
The defender is now flourishing at Anfield and acknowledges the Liverpool switch proved to be the correct decision. He added: "Taking that break was the best decision I've ever made. Today, I feel good, I'm happy and I'm enjoying football again, and that shows on the pitch. Now I can show what I'm really capable of again."