Daily Schmankerl: Bayern Munich can afford Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland, but Manchester City is the favorite; Bayern not interested in Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly; Liverpool fight club; and MORE!

Hainer: Bayern can afford Haaland (Sport1)

Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer was very clear about his club’s financial state: For any player the Bavarians want, they are equipped to make a move.

“We are an economically very strong and healthy club,” said Hainer in reference to a question directly regarding Bayern Munich’s ability to pursue Haaland. “Although we are also suffering massively from the pandemic, we can always bring players if we are convinced of them. Just two weeks ago, Hasan Salihamidzic announced that we would bring one of the best central defenders in Dayot Upamecano.”

More, when Haaland’s alleged €75 million release clause was brought up, Hainer stopped short of saying anything definitive, but did indicate that the club is committed to signing young stars.

“Things change every day. I am therefore far from making a prognosis,” Hainer said. “What is certain, however, is that in the future we will continue to pursue our successful path of signing young players with outstanding skills.”

City still favorites on Haaland (@cfbayern)

Even if Bayern Munich can afford Haaland, it might have trouble beating out Pep Guardiola and Manchester City. Still, Borussia Dortmund does not want to sell Haaland this summer, no matter who is ready to pony up some cash:

ICYMI: BFW’s podcast preview for Der Klassiker (Bavarian Football Works)

If you are looking to kill a little time this morning, check out our podcast preview for Saturday’s Der Klassiker.

Flick’s impact with Bayern (@dw_sports)

Check out the video from DW Sports on Hansi Flick’s impact with Bayern Munich:

Call for Coutinho to rejoin LFC (Goal)

Jamie Carragher is calling for Liverpool to bring back former Bayern Munich player and current FC Barcelona outcast Philippe Coutinho:

The Reds legend believes Jurgen Klopp needs to invest heavily in another playmaker, with the Premier League champions missing a creative No.10 Jamie Carragher admits that Liverpool are crying out for another Philippe Coutinho, with the Reds legend looking for Jurgen Klopp to do “something big” in the summer transfer window.

Quizzed by Sky Sports on what Liverpool need to find, Carragher said: “Goals, massively. They don’t look like scoring. It’s not just the games in which they haven’t scored - you never even feel like the goals are coming. With 20 minutes to go, you don’t really feel like Liverpool are going to score a goal.

“The front six at this moment are not looking dangerous enough and there’s no-one really out injured too much. You could say Fabinho and Jordan Henderson are missing in midfield but they’re more defensive players. That’s the real worry for me going forward - where the goals are going to come from next season.”

How are things going for Coutinho at Barca? Well...not so good.

Bayern not interested in Koulibaly (@cfbayern)

Per Sport Bild chief reporter Christian Falk, all of the noise surrounding Bayern Munich’s alleged pursuit of Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly is just that...noise:

Liverpool fight club? (Sport Bild)

There is a lot wrong with Liverpool these days, but Sport Bild captured some comments from pundit Michael Owen, who insinuates that Sadio Mané pushed aside the chance for a penalty by not going down in the box than draw the penalty and have Mo Salah take it in Liverpool’s loss to Chelsea:

Ironically, the long-time Liverpool striker and England international Michael Owen (41) speculates in his role as an expert for “Optus Sport” that there are disagreements within the team. It’s about the offensive stars Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané. And about the fact that one does not allow the other to score goals.

Owen says, “I couldn’t believe he wouldn’t fall there, and really, I don’t want to advise him to either. Maybe he thought he would still get the ball. But I am amazed, and maybe that’s a bold thought that stirs in my head, but: Mo Salah is the penalty taker in this team. And if Mané gets a chance to score himself, he will think: ‘Either I score — or if I don’t stay on my feet, Mo Salah will get another penalty’.”

Dead last in drinking? Philadelphia? (@LanceMcAlister)

Per a study done by @NJ_Gambling, Philadelphia Phillies fans rank dead last on beers consumed per game per game and money spent on booze.

Needless to say, I demand a recount.

I’ve heard the theories:

• “Phillies fans do more pregame boozing than anywhere else.”
• “You can’t order more beer if you pass out in your seat upon entering the stadium.”
• This doesn’t include all of the beer sold to underage patrons (I kid, I kid).

I’ve travelled to many baseball stadiums and I can say that if I had to rank the “booziest scenes”, I’d go with this as my top 3:

• Wrigley Field (Cubs)
• Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia)
• Fenway Park (Boston)

I don’t care if you hate the Cubs or if you don’t like baseball...Wrigley Field is an experience. While PNC Park in Pittsburgh has the best view and nicest atmosphere and Citizens Bank Park has the best in-stadium environment; the entire scene surrounding Wrigley Field for a day game (particularly on a Friday afternoon) is nothing short of amazing.

Serie A broadcast rights up for bid (@worldsoccertalk)

It appears that ESPN+’s broadcasting of Serie A games could be coming to an end: