Florian Wirtz is undoubtedly a player in high demand. For many young footballers, facing interest from several top European clubs in one summer could be overwhelming, but it seems unlikely to faze Wirtz.
Growing up in Pulheim, a suburb of Cologne, Wirtz was in a region renowned for its footballing talent, close to giants like Borussia Dortmund, Schalke, Borussia Monchengladbach, Fortuna Dusseldorf, and Bayer Leverkusen. All were aware of the emerging talent in Cologne`s youth scene and would eventually vie for his signature.
The Wirtz family prioritized both Florian`s and his sister Juliane`s development (Juliane now plays for Werder Bremen). His father, Hans, remains chairman of their childhood club, Grun-Weiss Brauweiler, embedding football in Florian`s early life. He practically grew up with a ball constantly at his feet.
His dedication made him a joy for coaches. Benedikt Hammans, his youth coach in Cologne, noted early on, `Florian knew better than me which decisions he should make in the game.` Joining the Under-17 side at 15, Wirtz was a key player in their 2019 National Championship win.
In 14 matches against older, physically stronger opponents, Wirtz contributed four goals and eight assists. His exceptional performance included dismantling Bayern Munich in the U17 semifinal. Even then, flashes of the player Liverpool might need to break transfer records for were evident. He could trap a long pass, create space, receive the ball, and instantly deliver a pinpoint 50-yard pass behind the defense, setting up a simple goal. Minutes later, he was in position to finish a counter-attack himself, a knack for impacting the score sheet that has remained with him.
His potential attracted major European clubs like Juventus and Arsenal, with Liverpool also monitoring his progress closely. However, Bayer Leverkusen`s sporting director, Simon Rolfes, a former player there, aimed to secure Wirtz for his club. Upon returning in 2018, Rolfes` main question for the academy staff was why Wirtz wasn`t already part of Leverkusen, given his obvious talent.
The simple answer lay in a long-standing agreement between Cologne, Leverkusen, and Monchengladbach not to poach academy players from each other, aiming for regional stability and player welfare. Leverkusen`s solution in early 2020 was both clever and controversial: they signed Wirtz as a first-team player just months after he won the youth title with Cologne.
Other European suitors had little chance. The move meant Wirtz could play for the same club as his sister and, crucially, finish his school studies, a priority for his parents, though Wirtz later claimed he had the final say. Five years on, Wirtz has significant influence, but his parents, Hans and Karin (who was involved in talks with Manchester City), remain vital voices in his career decisions.
`The sporting perspective is much more important than money,` Wirtz stated, reflecting his parents` teaching. `My parents would be angry if I ever gave money priority.`
In his early career, education sometimes even trumped football. He was once left out of a Europa League squad because he had an exam the next morning. Despite being more passionate about football, Wirtz never dropped out of school early, even bringing a teacher along when first called up to the German national team in March 2021.
Wirtz`s Key Role at Leverkusen
A significant advantage of the move to Leverkusen was a clear path to the first team, which quickly materialized. In the summer of 2020, Kai Havertz was sold to Chelsea for a substantial fee, leaving the number 10 position open. Leverkusen needed a successor but didn`t look externally. Rolfes explained, buying a replacement would be `a waste of money` because `the kid is already better.`
The club unanimously entrusted the attacking midfield role to the teenager. Wirtz, however, downplayed the idea of being the sole difference-maker. `I try not to focus on this idea that I am any sort of special player,` he said. `I just want to create opportunities, make goals happen. I don’t really care who gets the goals, it’s really about winning the games.`
He created chances with remarkable consistency. Over the past four seasons in Europe`s top five leagues, Wirtz averaged 0.46 assists per 90 minutes, a rate surpassed by only a few elite playmakers like Kevin De Bruyne, Thomas Muller, Ousmane Dembele, and Lionel Messi. By nearly every creative standard, Wirtz was among the world`s best before turning 22.
This period wasn`t without challenges. Wirtz spent 10 months sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, missing the 2022 World Cup. For an 18-year-old whose body was still developing, it was a major setback. He not only dealt with the emotional blow of missing his first major tournament but also watched Leverkusen struggle without him, although the appointment of Xabi Alonso brought future hope.
Those close to Wirtz say he detests being injured more than most players. He used his recovery time productively, working on aspects of his game. Only four months after returning, he declared himself a better player than before the injury. In his first full season back, the incredible 2023-24 campaign, his shot and goal output significantly increased as Bayer Leverkusen achieved a historic unbeaten domestic season, clinching the Bundesliga title from perennial winners Bayern Munich. With his penchant for decisive goals, elegance, and relentless work rate, Wirtz was arguably the best player in Germany.
Even in the 2024-25 season, despite Leverkusen facing more challenges and injuries (including Wirtz`s ankle injury ending his campaign early), he maintained his high level, delivering the same number of goal contributions in the league, taking more shots and providing more assists, even within Alonso`s slightly more cautious system.
How Would Wirtz Fit at Liverpool?
It`s no surprise the top clubs want him. The only surprise might be that only Bayern Munich and Manchester City reportedly joined Liverpool in the race. Joachim Low commented he expected Wirtz to follow Alonso to Real Madrid. If Liverpool is indeed in a strong position, they might be able to negotiate the price tag Leverkusen has set. Whatever the final fee, it is widely expected to break the British transfer record.
For a potentially record-breaking sum, Liverpool would acquire arguably the most talented player on the market, opening vast tactical possibilities for Arne Slot. The most straightforward approach would be to deploy Wirtz in the number 10 role, where Dominik Szoboszlai played last season. Wirtz offers significantly higher goal contributions; Liverpool would effectively trade a player contributing around six league goals/assists for one capable of double figures in both categories. While perhaps smaller physically, Wirtz is a dynamic presence in the press, leading the Bundesliga in attacking third recoveries during Leverkusen`s title win.
While that fits, Liverpool`s other potential signings suggest more complex possibilities. Reports link them to Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, potentially adding new wing-backs. Under Klopp, Liverpool`s fullbacks were famously advanced, but last season saw a more conservative approach. This must surely change with players like Frimpong, who sometimes operated almost as a forward for Alonso, and Kerkez, also suited to pushing high.
Does this require a more defensive midfield behind Wirtz, perhaps a pivot and a shift to a 4-3-3? This could suit Wirtz, who has drifted into wider areas recently. A highlight of Leverkusen`s play has been the interplay between left wing-back Alejandro Grimaldo and Wirtz, with Grimaldo moving infield or wide. A similar dynamic could occur with Kerkez, though his profile suggests more of a traditional, high-energy left-back than a technical inverter.
Even if Kerkez operates as a traditional winger, Wirtz can adapt. Liverpool`s potential recruitment seems geared towards moving wide attackers more centrally. Mohamed Salah, who has played wider right to accommodate Trent Alexander-Arnold, could move infield with Frimpong on the outside. Slot could potentially ask the same of Wirtz from the left or center.
For a nine-figure fee, Liverpool gains tactical flexibility, but more importantly, a central figure for their future attack. Since Mohamed Salah signed his current contract, a key question has been who would succeed him when his dominant era ends. Wirtz appears to be the answer, a player who has demonstrated in his early twenties that he is ready to wear the crown.
Based on his career trajectory so far, a high-profile move and the challenge of succeeding a club legend seem likely to bring out the best in Florian Wirtz.
