Bayern Munich have hit out at Germany coach Joachim Low after three of their players were dropped from the national team - just days before their crucial Champions League clash with Liverpool.
Thomas Muller, Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels, who were integral to Germany's 2014 World Cup triumph, have been informed by Low they will no longer be called up to the national team after a shock announcement on Tuesday.
The Bayern trio have been key figures for both club and country in recent years but, with all three players now approaching the latter stages of their careers after Germany's disastrous World Cup defence last summer, Low has decided to focus on bringing through younger players.
The club have responded with a statement questioning the timing of such an announcement, with Bayern preparing for their last-16 second leg clash against Jurgen Klopp's side on March 13.
"Basically we do not comment on the sporting decisions of the national coach," the statement read.
"However, we find the timing and circumstances of the announcement of this decision to the players and the public to be questionable.
Bayern also pointed out that Germany's last game was on November 19 and "the fact the players and public were informed around three months later" before games against Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga and Liverpool in the Champions League "irritates us."
Players have joined Bayern in registering their disappointment at the way it has been handled.
Boateng, formerly on the books at Manchester City, responded to news in a series of tweets, revealing he "would have liked to see another farewell for us".
In Pictures | Liverpool vs Bayern Munich | 19/02/2019
Arsenal star Mesut Ozil also criticised the decision and tweeted in support of Boateng, writing: "I feel sorry one of the best German players of the last decade has to leave the National team in that way."
