Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller insists Stefan Kiessling will not be leaving the club in January.
Kiessling, 31, has been mooted with a move to Liverpool since Jurgen Klopp was made manager earlier in the season and has dropped down the pecking order since Javier Hernandez’s arrival over the summer.
However, Leverkusen will not look to part ways with their striker, whom has been at the club since 2006, with Europa League football meaning they will have a packed schedule next year.
“It’s a fact that Stefan will stay. Of course, he fully deserves that we consider his situation. But we need a broad squad. We’ve only got three-match weeks next year. He has to stay,” Voller told German newspaper Bild.
Over the last seven seasons, Kiessling has won at least 337 more aerial duels than any other player in the Bundesliga (997).
For more stats on Stefan Kiessling, click here to visit his WhoScored player page