The £100m signing of Germany’s prodigy adds intelligence, versatility, and a new dimension to the Premier League champions’ already formidable attack
In June 2025, Liverpool FC (liverpoolfc.com) made headlines by signing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen (bayer04.de) for a fee exceeding £100 million—making the 22-year-old the most expensive player in British football history. But what makes Wirtz worth such a staggering sum? Where will he play in Arne Slot’s high-performing Liverpool side? And how will he improve what many already consider the best team in England?
A Brain Ahead of the Game
Wirtz’s defining characteristic isn’t speed or strength—it’s intelligence. He reads the game faster than most, adjusts his positioning instinctively, and exploits defensive weaknesses with surgical precision. One of his signature moves is a sudden dart away from his marker to receive the ball in space—a small action that frequently unbalances entire defensive units.
This spatial awareness isn’t just theoretical; it’s backed by data. Among players who featured in over 1,000 minutes across Europe’s top five leagues last season, Wirtz ranked 90th in total touches. That might not sound elite—until you realize that nearly all players above him are defenders or deep-lying midfielders who enjoy the luxury of space. Wirtz operates in the final third, where space is rare and decisions must be made in milliseconds. In this congested zone, only Michael Olise and Rayan Cherki had more touches.
The Messi Comparison
Wirtz’s ball control and passing efficiency have drawn lofty praise from his former coach, Xabi Alonso. Speaking in 2023, Alonso remarked:
“Why is Messi so good? Because he knows how and when to play simple passes. Florian can do that. That’s why he’s so good.”
Rather than chase highlights, Wirtz focuses on making the right play at the right time—a rare skill that elevates the entire team.
Fitting into Slot’s Liverpool
Liverpool’s title-winning 2024–25 campaign was defined by a dynamic 4-3-3 system that often morphed into a 4-2-3-1 in possession. While many expected Wirtz to replace Dominik Szoboszlai, that might not be the case.
Szoboszlai’s off-the-ball movement—particularly his overlapping runs—was crucial to Arne Slot’s attacking system. His selfless positioning created space for Mohamed Salah and others to operate. Wirtz, while a more creative player on the ball, is also an active presser and capable of winning duels in midfield. This makes it possible for the two to play alongside each other, rather than in direct competition.
Instead of obsessing over Wirtz’s “starting position,” it’s more useful to focus on where he receives the ball. At Leverkusen, he often drifted infield from the left—a zone Liverpool typically underutilize due to Salah’s dominance on the right. Playing Wirtz on the left could bring balance to Liverpool’s attack and offer an unpredictable new layer.
A False Nine or Fluid Ten?
Another option for Slot is to deploy Wirtz as a false nine, a tactic the manager briefly tested with Luis Díaz last season. While Díaz performed admirably, Wirtz offers an upgrade in movement, vision, and link-up play. His drifting runs could drag centre-backs out of position, freeing space for runners like Cody Gakpo or Salah.
Slot even used a 4-2-4 system in a stunning 2–0 win over Manchester City, and Wirtz could be the key to reviving that aggressive formation. His versatility across all front-line positions makes him the ideal player to rotate in and out of different systems without disrupting team cohesion.
A Worthy Investment
Wirtz isn’t just another expensive signing. He’s a footballing intellect with the technical and tactical tools to elevate Liverpool’s already elite squad. Whether threading passes through parked buses, linking wide play, or pressing high to win possession in dangerous areas, Wirtz can do it all.
In a team that thrives on flexibility, pressing, and fluid attacking play, Florian Wirtz might be the final piece that not only sustains Liverpool’s dominance—but future-proofs it.
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