With Jeremie Frimpong having already made his way to Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen this summer, there’s a good chance that his former teammate, Florian Wirtz, could soon follow suit to Anfield.
The Reds splashed out approximately £29.5 million to secure the Dutchman as a stand-in for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is heading to Real Madrid. Liverpool have already submitted three bids for Wirtz, the most recent being £100 million with an additional £13 million in performance-related add-ons, but all offers have been turned down.
While Bayer Leverkusen ideally hopes to receive £126.4 million, reports indicate that both clubs might agree on a sum close to £118 million, which would set a new British transfer record, surpassing Moises Caicedo’s transfer from Brighton to Chelsea.
This considerable financial commitment from the reigning Premier League champions demonstrates a strong endorsement and sends a firm message to their rivals.
Wirtz’s arrival bolsters Liverpool’s title ambitions
Liverpool excelled under Arne Slot last season, claiming the 2024/25 title with ease. Adding one of the world’s most promising talents is bound to strengthen their chances of defending their title and potentially embarking on a new era reminiscent of their dominance in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
During the 2024/25 Bundesliga season, the German midfielder recorded an impressive 10 goals and topped the league charts with 12 assists in just 31 appearances. Additionally, he managed 52 crosses and a remarkable 78 shots on goal.
He also made 383 tackles and engaged in 11 duels throughout the season, alongside being involved in 865 sprints and 2,302 high-intensity runs.
As Bayer Leverkusen’s creative force, Wirtz has just turned 22, meaning he still has several seasons ahead of him before reaching his peak—a daunting prospect for any opposition.
Minor formation tweaks won’t hinder Wirtz’s role
Weighing in at a modest 71kg (11 stone), he possesses a surprising level of strength and seldom loses possession when challenged. His ability to penetrate defences while under extreme pressure is now a hallmark of his style.
In this regard, he is poised to slot effortlessly into the Liverpool setup.
Having played predominantly on the left flank in a 3-4-2-1 system under Xabi Alonso, Wirtz will likely operate in the same areas in a 4-2-3-1 formation during attacking phases, transitioning to a 4-4-2 while defending.
That aside, his capacity to adapt to various attacking positions adds versatility for Slot should he require rotations.
Which players may find themselves under pressure?
Given that Liverpool will not break the British transfer record for a player destined for the bench, some first-team regulars may soon become apprehensive.
Wirtz’s acquisition likely signals the end for Harvey Elliott at the club; the 21-year-old has often been rumoured to be on his way out after only managing 654 minutes of action last season.
Having started just five matches out of 23 last season, Elliott managed a mere two goals and three assists.
Meanwhile, Dominik Szoboszlai’s tally of seven goals and seven assists from 40 matches (33 as a starter) also raises concerns, although there are no indications that the Hungarian is set to depart the club. Nevertheless, he might find opportunities more scarce in the upcoming season.
“I’m absolutely thrilled,” says former Leverkusen and Liverpool star
“Oh, I’m absolutely thrilled. He will fit in seamlessly, really,” Erik Meijer, who made the switch from Leverkusen to Liverpool 26 years ago, stated recently.
“I’m also really pleased he chose not to move to Bayern Munich.
“That would have been the easy option, but to truly gauge how good he is on the global stage, he had to advance, and Liverpool presents an enormous opportunity.
“We saw that when they faced each other in the Champions League, and I’m eagerly anticipating seeing just how well Flo performs in the Premier League.”
If Wirtz is granted the opportunity to acclimatise to his new surroundings, it seems plausible that Liverpool could have made a savvy acquisition.
However, he may need to adjust to the fact that he’ll face a steeper learning curve in the Premier League, widely regarded as Europe’s toughest competition.
His talent and ability to take on defenders, both inside and outside the box, alongside his knack for spotting openings and creating passing lanes for teammates, positions him as an intriguing asset for the club.
This significant acquisition marks a bold statement from the Reds and illustrates their resolve to both nurture homegrown talent and recruit elite players for every position within the squad.
The challenges ahead are set; the game is officially on.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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