Heading into Arne Slot’s second summer transfer window as Liverpool boss, there are plenty of issues to sort out: what does Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure mean for Conor Bradley and the right-back berth? How far up on the priority list is signing a centre-forward? And, well, is Florian Wirtz worth the attention?
The floating Germany international, 22, is being courted by a number of clubs – and that includes the 2024/25 Premier League champions. In fact, the attacking midfielder’s family have spoken to the Merseysiders ahead of a potential move from Bayer Leverkusen.
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As things stand, Slot – widely regarded as one of the best managers in world football – has Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones to choose from, but neither the Hungarian nor the Englishman have jumped off the page during his tenure. That's where Wirtz may come in – but how do his statistics from this season compare to the aforementioned Anfield duo?
Note: All statistics have been taken from the 2024/25 Premier League and Bundesliga seasons and are all per 90 minutes.
Shooting Statistics Compared
Bayer Leverkusen hotshot Wirtz dominates in front of goal
Although the goalscoring of shooting – and, therefore, hopefully scoring – is not typically down to attacking midfielders, what Liverpool have shown is that goals often come from different areas (most notably, on the right, from Mohamed Salah).
As such, having goal threats from all across the pitch is key – and Wirtz, one of the highest-valued U18 players in football history, is statistically the best of the bunch. This season alone, per 90, the young German has notched 0.4 goals.
In comparison, Jones and Szoboszlai – who have taken zero penalties this term – have accrued just 0.2 goals per 90 apiece. But, aligning with that, Wirtz has also been keener to let off shots, 1.5 of which have been on target per 90 this season.
His shot accuracy (71.15%) is also superior to that of the Liverpool duo, as is his conversion rate. In 2024/25 Bundesliga matches, he’s converted 19.23% of the chances that have fallen his way – proving that he’s a clinical finisher, too.
Wirtz, Szoboszlai and Jones - 24/25 Shooting Statistics Compared
Statistic
Goals
Penalty Goals
Shots (excl. blocks)
Shots on Target
Shot Accuracy
Conversion Rate (%)
Chance Creation Statistics Compared
Jones' passing accuracy - 93.72% - is the best of the trio
Fashioning chances, however, is very much the expectation of someone in the position behind the striker; and, similarly to the shooting department, it is Wirtz who comes out on top. The 22-year-old is the full package, some would say.
A chance creation monster, the Bayer Leverkusen hotshot has created 2.3 chances per 90 this term – and when you compare that to Szoboszlai’s 2 and Jones’ 1.1, you begin to realise that Wirtz is a one-of-one talent in world football.
Once again, Szoboszlai – who is widely regarded as one of the best Hungarian players of all time – struggles to jump off the page – but his teammate Jones, 24 years of age, has chalked up a pass accuracy of 93/72% this season.
Perhaps explaining Wirtz’ inferior passing accuracy (82.49%) is the fact that he is attempting more passes, completing more through-balls (which are trickier passes) and balls in the opposition half – 40.1 compared to Jones’ 30 per 90.
Wirtz, Szoboszlai and Jones - 24/25 Chance Creation Statistics Compared
Statistic
Assists
Chances Created
Passes Attempted
Passing Accuracy (%)
Through-Balls
Passes Completed (opp. half)
Possession Statistics Compared
Liverpool's Szoboszlai struggles, once again, to jump off the page
It’s all well and good shooting, scoring and creating a hatful of chances – but everybody knows that keeping possession, and recycling it to confuse and open defences, is key to an attacking midfielder’s play. And you won’t be surprised to hear that Wirtz, again, comes out as top dog.
This season, he’s been highly involved in every single one of Bayer Leverkusen’s domestic outings – taking 88 touches per 90 and averaging 3.3 completed take-ons in the same timeframe. Neither Jones nor Szoboszlai can compete with his numbers.
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The former, however, has boasted the best take-on success (%) of the three this since the 2024/25 term got underway – 63.16%. Wirtz has a lower success rate (50.94%) but that is down to being braver and, as mentioned, attempting a lot more.
Born and bred in Pulheim, Germany, the diminutive ace has totted up more touches in the opposition box and won more duels per 90 than the Anfield-based pair. That said, he has lost possession 21.9 times per 90 thus far – which is, by far, the worst rate of the trio. That is likely by virtue of him being more adventurous in the final third.
Wirtz, Szoboszlai and Jones - 24/25 Possession Statistics Compared
Statistic
Touches
Take-Ons Completed
Take-Ons Success (%)
Duels Won
Touches in Opposition Box
Possession Lost
Conclusion: Is Wirtz Worth the Outlay?
The intelligent German could be the signing of the summer
Let’s not beat around the bush, shall we? Wirtz, given his age and evident talent, would be a season-changing addition regardless of his price. He’d be, without a doubt, an instant upgrade on Szoboszlai and Jones and would be a vital cog in Slot’s attempt to retain their status as Premier League champions.
He has every chance of costing north of £100 million – but with Manchester City and Bayern Munich also in the running for his signature, Liverpool will have to act quickly in order to get their hands on one of the most exciting youngsters in the entirety of world football.
He's relentless, he wants to win the ball back and pounce on opposition mistakes - and would be the perfect player to feed Salah and whichever centre-forward Liverpool manage to ensnare in the summer. If Wirtz is unattainable, the statistics suggest that Jones is statistically favourable over 53-cap Hungary international, Szoboszlai.
All statistics per Squawka’s Comparison Matrix – correct as of 15/05/2025