Why Liverpool Made Florian Wirtz The Most Expensive Signing in Premier League History
After winning the 2024/25 Premier League title, Liverpool have been active in the transfer market, agreeing deals for Hungarian goalkeeper Armin Pecsi and Dutch wingback Jeremie Frimpong, and it seems that they may just have their third signing wrapped up.
Florian Wirtz has been their main target right from the beginning, and now it looks like the deal will go through with Liverpool reaching an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen. Reports say that the package will come up to €150 million, including add-ons, a statement move for Dutch manager Arne Slot and his title-winning side.
Wirtz’s Rise at Leverkusen
At only 22 years of age, Wirtz has been a consistent starter for Leverkusen since the 2020–21 season. He has made 197 appearances for them, scoring 57 goals and providing 62 assists. Initially, Wirtz played as the 10 in a 4-2-3-1 system, but since the arrival of Xabi Alonso, the German has taken up the left-sided 10 role in a 3-4-2-1 system.
Under Xabi, Leverkusen had a great season in 2023–24 where they won the Bundesliga and went unbeaten throughout the campaign. They also lifted the DFB-Pokal but lost to Atalanta in the UEFA Europa League Final.
Wirtz was a key part in the success of the club. This season, Leverkusen finished second below Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga and are now in a major transition. Xabi Alonso has been appointed as Real Madrid manager, and Wirtz will soon leave for England.
Looking at the Stats of the 2024–25 Season
This season, Wirtz contributed 10 goals and 12 assists in the Bundesliga. 1309 successful passes placed him in the top percentile for successful passes for a player in his position. The Leverkusen number 10 displayed great ball distribution, completing 34 long balls, 14 crosses, and creating 57 chances. Stats like 82 dribbles and 162 touches in the opponent’s box indicate how dangerous he is in the final third.
Defensively, Wirtz does well to help his wing-backs, and the numbers back his contribution, winning 20 tackles and 162 duels. He won the ball back 35 times in the final third and completed 113 recoveries. His individual performances were great in the Champions League, producing 6 goals and an assist in 9 games.
Analysing Wirtz’s Game
Players who play the 10 role in a 3-4-2-1 system are technically very good and have a great set of attributes. Wirtz is the best player in the world for that role in a back-three system. He’s a great dribbler, good in tight spaces, uses quick one-touch passing to break down defences in the box and has a great range of shooting—qualities that traditional number 10 players had.
His ability to distribute the ball from midfield using grounded through balls and long balls is great. Wirtz also takes part in the build-up phase and can carry the ball through midfield into the final third. These are the attributes that a traditional number 8 executes.
In instances of a fast break, Wirtz operates like a modern winger. He receives the ball out wide and cuts into the box. From there, he might play a great pass into a teammate making a run into the box, or he has the skill to take on defenders in the box and can go either inside or around them to make it hard for defenders to judge his next move. While these attributes make Wirtz a great player, the system has a big part in allowing him to express himself in his role.
How Will Slot Fit Wirtz into Liverpool’s XI?
Liverpool under Slot have used the 4-2-3-1 shape. The double pivot is not something that would utilize Wirtz’s ability to the maximum. While he could still play there, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister have done a great job at those roles and Slot wouldn’t disturb the balance they have. Wirtz will surely be a candidate to play the 10 and this position would get the most out of him.
Attributes like being good in tight spaces, using smart, quick passes to break down a low block, his dribbling and shooting make him a dangerous 10. Another viable position is the left wing position where he could stay up the pitch and take up wide positions or sit in the half-space between the full-back and centre-back. Wirtz from these positions will be able to cut into the opponent’s box and make something happen. Slot at times has used a false 9, but Wirtz is more suited to play a role below the 9.
Conclusion
Wirtz will come to Liverpool on a Premier League record fee and high magnitudes of expectations. He has operated at a high level and with his experience he should be able to handle the pressure. Liverpool already have a great team around him that will help him ease into the Premier League. With key attacker Mohamed Salah getting older, 22-year-old Wirtz could be the player who leads Liverpool for the next few years.
By: Sriram Sundar / @Sriram__Sundar
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / picture alliance