Liverpool Sign Florian Wirtz: Why German Dynamo Is Worth Astronomical Fee

Basic Information:

Player: Florian Wirtz
Transfer: Bayer Leverkusen → Liverpool FC
Fee: £100 million (base fee), up to £116 million with bonuses
Age: 22 years old
Position: Attacking midfielder
Contract length: Not disclosed

Florian Wirtz has become Liverpool's new player after "The Reds" paid Bayer Leverkusen a record fee of up to £116 million. Why does the German talent deserve such an investment?

After a quiet summer in the transfer market last year, Liverpool have already made a big move and we're only in mid-June. Federico Chiesa was the only arrival from Juventus at the end of summer 2024, while a deal was also sealed for Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia, but the Georgian goalkeeper will not officially join "The Reds" until this season.

Liverpool's Summer Transfer Activity

Liverpool acted quickly in signing Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen this year, but conversations with the German club didn't end there. On Friday, they secured another significant signing.

Many expected Florian Wirtz to end up at Bayern Munich, including the Bundesliga champions themselves, or Manchester City, but the player decided his next step would be Anfield and the Premier League champions.

Wirtz has been among the best players in Europe in recent years, and Liverpool broke their own transfer record and possibly the record for a British team with a reported fee of £100 million (€117m), potentially rising to £116m with add-ons (€136m) for the 22-year-old attacking midfielder.

Early Career and Injury

Wirtz signed for Leverkusen from FC Köln at age 16, making his first-team debut just two weeks after his 17th birthday. Three weeks later, he scored against Bayern to become the youngest Bundesliga goalscorer in history at just 17 years and 34 days old.

In his first full season 2020-21, he recorded an impressive eight goals and seven assists in 38 games. He followed that up with 10 goals and 14 assists in 31 games in 2021-22, though that campaign was ultimately cut short.

Overcoming Serious Injury

Wirtz tore his ACL in his left knee in March 2022, coincidentally against former club Köln, and didn't return until January 2023. After such a serious injury, there were concerns about its impact on his future performance.

However, the impact proved minimal. Wirtz managed 12 goal involvements (4 goals, 8 assists) in 25 games in the second half of the 2022-23 season, with only Frimpong and Moussa Diaby (10 each) recording more assists for Leverkusen in that entire season despite Wirtz being available for only half the time.

Historic 2023-24 Season

By the time of his return, Xabi Alonso was head coach, and what happened in the 2023-24 campaign under the Spaniard will never be forgotten. Leverkusen won their first ever Bundesliga title, becoming the first team to go unbeaten through an entire league season in the German top flight. They also won the DFB-Pokal and reached the Europa League final, where defeat to Atalanta was their only loss in any competition across the entire campaign.

Wirtz was a big part of that success with 18 goals and 19 assists in 47 games, proving he was completely over his knee problems. In fact, he was the only player from Europe's top five leagues to record at least 16 goals and 16 assists in all competitions in 2023-24.

Continued Quality and International Success

Last season wasn't quite as epic, but the Werkself had set a very high bar for themselves. They finished second to Bayern, who also eliminated them from the Champions League at the last-16 stage. Wirtz still managed 16 goals and 14 assists in all competitions, with only Mohamed Salah (18) and Lamine Yamal (13) recording more than his 12 assists from open play among players from Europe's top five leagues.

He also became a key player for Germany, scoring twice in five games at Euro 2024 last year. His late goal to force extra-time against eventual champions Spain in the quarter-finals at 21 years and 63 days made him Germany's youngest ever goalscorer in a European Championship knockout match.

Statistical Analysis and Playing Style

What's clear from his numbers is how progressively he thinks, both with the ball and when receiving it. Wirtz ranked eighth for progressive passes in the Bundesliga last season (155) - a completed open-play pass in the attacking two-thirds of the pitch that moved the ball at least 25% closer to the goal.

When receiving between the lines, Wirtz is known for his creativity. He fashioned 2.1 chances from open play per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga last season, more than any of his Leverkusen teammates, while only Salah averaged more for Liverpool (2.3) in the Premier League.

Comparison with Kevin De Bruyne

Looking at player comparison radars, Wirtz was matched up with the man Manchester City supposedly wanted him to replace - Kevin De Bruyne. Their output was quite similar in most areas last season, which is impressive for a young player on the way up compared to De Bruyne on the way down.

Potential Role at Liverpool

Wirtz has primarily taken up a role as an inside 10 to the left of Alonso's attack, allowed to drift across the pitch but taking most of his touches on the left side. While he isn't exactly similar to Liverpool's current left-side options in Cody Gakpo and Luis Díaz, Wirtz could still work there given his close control, dribbling ability and propensity for inswinging crosses from the left to the far post.

He could theoretically also play as the central attacker. Wirtz is not an orthodox number nine, but given how often Slot utilized Díaz there last season, it's feasible that the young German could do a similar job.

Competition with Szoboszlai

Despite Szoboszlai performing admirably for Liverpool last season, providing energy high up the pitch and improving his goal output, Wirtz would likely be a greater goal threat, having registered 44 goal involvements (21G 23A) in 63 Bundesliga games across the last two seasons.

New Player's Words

Upon signing for Liverpool, Wirtz said: "I'm really excited to have a new adventure in front of me. This was also a big point of my thoughts: that I want to have something completely new, to go out of the Bundesliga and to join the Premier League. I will see how I can perform there. I hope I can do my best."

Thanks to Opta Stats Perform for the data.

Photo: Liverpool FC

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