Liverpool FC have made a statement signing in the transfer market. They’ve completed a jaw-dropping £116.5million agreement for 22-year-old Florian Wirtz. The attacking midfielder has been turning heads in his debut Bundesliga season due to his electrifying playmaking ability. He is expected to be a key man in manager Arne Slot’s plans next season. The 20-year-old Wirtz can play a number of positions on the pitch, including the highly-coveted No. 10 role. His addition would absolutely transform Liverpool’s attacking landscape.
Wirtz has already established himself as one of the most talented players in German football. Last year, he produced a staggering 124 open play chances. This eye-popping statistic has put him in elite company. He’s on the same list as other planetary celebrities like Mohamed Salah, Martin Ødegaard, Bruno Fernandes, and Cole Palmer. His creative flair and vision are unparalleled, with the 21-year-old’s inclusion making Liverpool an increasingly dangerous prospect. In the 2024/25 season, no Bundesliga players took on and beat their marker more than him.
Tactical Fit in Slot’s Vision
Slot has said he wants to use Wirtz primarily as a No 10. It makes for the prototype modern football player. This position requires a player who can open up electrifying possibilities. They need to beat pressure and connect the midfield with the attack. With Wirtz’s accuracy record of 1,790 final-third passes—second-most in the Bundesliga last season—he exemplifies this image to a tee.
The tactical flexibility Wirtz brings is another potential asset that Slot plans to take advantage of. He’s dynamic enough to play every which way, even as a false nine. This versatility contributes more chaos to Liverpool’s attacking play. As Jamie Carragher noted, “Liverpool are almost playing with a false nine today in Diaz and he [Wirtz] can do that.” This adaptability could be crucial for Liverpool as they seek to maintain their competitive edge in domestic and European competitions.
Even more importantly, Wirtz’s numbers show a player who can bend games to his will. His 71 possessions won back in the final third last season led the Bundesliga, with 39 high turnovers. This relentless work ethic aligns well with Slot’s high-pressing philosophy, potentially enhancing Liverpool’s ability to win back possession quickly and transition into attack.
A Proven Performer
Florian Wirtz’s awards tell the story of his greatness. He won German Footballer of the Year in 2023 and again in 2024. Incredibly young at just 20 years old, he’s already made close to 200 Bundesliga appearances. His experience definitely defies his years, he is regularly referred to as having “an old head on young shoulders.” This maturity allows him to make intelligent decisions on the pitch, as noted by Devin Ozek: “He is an unbelievably intelligent player who understands spaces between the lines.”
His previous time with Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen provided the perfect environment for him to thrive. Alonso gave Wirtz more leeway in his role, which allowed him to grow into a more creative whirlwind. He is so incredibly gifted, shifting the ball and playing the ball with such precision and tempo…’ Felix Fischer. I think the best is, not only is he making his teammates better but he’s scoring goals too.
This combination of invention and finish puts Wirtz as one of the best fits to add some variety to Liverpool’s attacking weapons. His overall presence will help increase the team’s offensive production overall. It will take the heat off of well-known stars like Salah as well. According to Andy Brassell, “So it will add something totally different to Liverpool. It will take a lot of the attacking burden off Salah.”
Implications for Liverpool’s Future
If Florian Wirtz’s signing was indication of a new direction for Liverpool, it’s a clear indication that they’re seeking to change their game. Even without his goal scoring, Wirtz’s game-breaking ability to alter games on a dime is incredible. Fischer underlined this with, “he can won games by himself.” With his talents, he can hugely raise Liverpool’s collective floor.
Carragher’s judgmental admonishments of today’s players like Dominik Szoboszlai highlight the tactical need for this singling out. “I have been critical of Szoboszlai; I think he does sometimes lack that creativity and Wirtz can play where Szoboszlai does [as a No 10],” Carragher stated. This recognition pinpoints the obvious requirement for unique creators, or dynamic attacking players that can bring flair, nuance and leather to the paint.
Wirtz’s arrival isn’t just winning an offseason battle. Above all, it represents a more general return to trying to make Liverpool a more unpredictable and therefore dangerous prospect on the pitch. His positional flexibility should be enough to give Slot the option to use radically different tactical approaches between opponents, making Liverpool a tougher side to get the better of.
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