Liverpool: Liverpool's acquisition of Florian Wirtz for a club-record £100 million could redefine the dynamics of their attacking prowess, as suggested by German football expert Raphael Honigstein. The 22-year-old German attacking midfielder's deal with the Premier League champions could eventually reach a staggering £116 million, setting new benchmarks in British football transfers.
According to BBC, Wirtz made his Bundesliga debut at 17 with Bayer Leverkusen in May 2020 and quickly became the youngest goalscorer in Bundesliga history against Bayern Munich. He has since contributed 44 assists in the Bundesliga, ranking third among all players, with everyone else in the top five being at least 29 years old, highlighting his potential for further growth.
Wirtz joins Liverpool as the second player signed from Leverkusen this summer, following right full-back Jeremie Frimpong's £34 million transfer. Liverpool's focus now shifts to securing Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, with negotiations ongoing for a deal between £45 million and £50 million.
Honigstein emphasized, "The key factor was, unlike other clubs, Liverpool presented a really thought-out vision, a very clear vision of how and where he will play." Despite competition from clubs like Bayern Munich and Manchester City, Liverpool's strategic vision made them the ideal choice for Wirtz.
Wirtz, known for his effectiveness as a number 10 and dynamic playmaker, was the best dribbler in the Bundesliga last season in terms of volume and accuracy. Honigstein noted, "His best position, and the position that has been earmarked for him in talks with Arne Slot, is that number 10 central role." In a reshuffled Liverpool under Arne Slot, Wirtz is expected to be the attacking fulcrum, bridging spaces between lines and contributing both goals and assists.
However, integrating Wirtz into Liverpool's formation presents challenges, especially in the 4-2-3-1 setup used effectively last season. With Ryan Gravenberch's rise in the anchoring role, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Alexis Mac Allister might face competition to retain their positions. Liverpool's wide areas remain secured with Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, and Cody Gakpo.
John Gibbons, a Liverpool fan and Anfield Wrap podcaster, discussed potential formations on BBC Radio 5 Live, suggesting that Wirtz or Szoboszlai could play as a false nine in a 4-3-3 system. This approach, akin to Roberto Firmino's legacy role, could allow Salah and Diaz to exploit wide areas.
Gibbons added, "Liverpool with number nines hasn't worked. This is an alternative, to instead play someone occupying that role but playing a bit deeper and allowing Salah and Diaz to fill that void." The strategy mirrors Paris St-Germain's success with non-traditional strikers and flying full-backs, hinting at Liverpool's potential tactical evolution.
Wirtz boasts 31 caps for Germany and was instrumental in Bayer Leverkusen's historic first Bundesliga title in 2023-24, creating 70 chances from open play. Despite a setback due to an ACL injury, his form persisted into the 2024-25 season, ranking second for assists in the Bundesliga and excelling in playing through balls.
Wirtz's rise in European football is a family affair, with his father Hans-Joachim serving as his agent. Negotiating a £116 million deal while managing an amateur football club, Hans-Joachim's unique approach reflects a different perspective in football management, as noted by German football writer Constantin Eckner.