Liverpool have officially announced the signing of German international Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. A deal that shatters the club’s and the Premier League’s transfer record. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder arrives at Anfield for a fee of £100 million. With a potential for a further £16 million in add-ons.
The move signals a significant statement of intent from the Merseyside club as they enter a new era under manager Arne Slot. Wirtz, who was instrumental in Leverkusen’s hugely successful title win a season ago, is seen as a player who can make an immediate impact and become a cornerstone of the Liverpool team for years to come.
A Perfect Fit for Slot’s System
Arne Slot’s preference for a 4-2-3-1 formation appears tailor-made for a player of Wirtz’s calibre. His primary position is as a central attacking midfielder, or ‘number 10’. It is a role where his vision, creativity, and goal-scoring ability can be fully utilised. In this system, Wirtz would operate as the main creative hub. Tasked with linking the midfield to the attack and carving out opportunities for the forwards.
His intelligent movement and ability to find gaps in the opposition’s midfield and defensive lines will be a key asset. He possesses the technical skill to receive the ball under pressure, turn quickly, and drive at defences. Creating chaos and opening up scoring chances.
Complementing Liverpool’s Attack
The prospect of Wirtz lining up alongside Liverpool’s established forwards is a mouth-watering one for the Anfield faithful. His arrival could see him slot in behind the main striker, whether it’s Cody Gakpo or Diogo Jota. With Mohamed Salah on the right and another of Liverpool’s dynamic attackers on the left, with Luis Diaz more than likely occupying the role.
Wirtz’s playmaking abilities could prove particularly beneficial for Salah. The German’s eye for a through ball and his capacity to draw defenders towards him could create even more space for the Egyptian to exploit. Furthermore, his versatility allows him to drift into wide areas. Interchanging with the wingers and making Liverpool’s attack less predictable and more fluid.
More so, with his former teammate Jeremie Frimpong also arriving at Liverpool, he will have another partner to plague the opposition’s defences with.
A Look at the Numbers
Wirtz’s statistics from his time at Bayer Leverkusen underscore the quality he will bring to the Premier League. Across his tenure with the German club, he consistently delivered impressive numbers. In the 2023/24 season, he was a standout performer, adding 11 goals and 12 assists to help Bayer lift their first-ever Bundesliga title.
He followed that up with another stellar campaign last season. Amassing 10 goals and 13 assists in 31 league games, highlighting his dual threat as a scorer and a creator.
His overall record for Leverkusen is a testament to his influence on the pitch. In 140 appearances for the club, he found the net 35 times and provided 45 assists. A clear indication of the end product he will be expected to deliver at Anfield. As Liverpool look to build on their recent successes, the addition of a player with Wirtz’s pedigree is a clear sign of their ambition to remain at the pinnacle of English and European football.
