While Florian Wirtz has played the majority of his football as an attacking midfielder, Liverpool could have a different position in mind if they are successful in their pursuit of the German
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Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield
Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield
(Image: 2024 Chris Brunskill/Fantasista)
When Liverpool were first confirmed to have made contact with Florian Wirtz, declaring their interest in a potential transfer should he be open to move to the Premier League, it was greeted by an element of surprise. After all, given the Reds will need reinforcements in a number of positions this summer, a new number 10 had not been high on many people’s wish lists.
Following confirmation that Trent Alexander-Arnold would not be signing a new contract with his boyhood club, Liverpool swiftly moved for Jeremie Frimpong as they sought a new right-back.
Meanwhile, they are also expected to be in the market for both a new left-back and centre-forward.
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A new centre-back can also not be ruled out, along with further attacking reinforcements dependent on departures.
But given Dominik Szoboszlai’s importance to Arne Slot’s side, having been moved forward into a number 10 position by the Dutchman just a year after his own £60m move to Anfield, it seemed unlikely to be an area of the team Liverpool would wish to reinforce.
Beyond the Hungarian, they still have Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott who have all been utilised in the role.
But ever the opportunists in the transfer market, Liverpool bosses have seemingly sensed an opening when it comes to Wirtz. With Bayer Leverkusen said to be demanding a £126m fee, the Reds are on standby to swoop in ahead of Bayern Munich if such an opening arises this summer.
If Liverpool were to be successful in their pursuit of the German, his arrival would not necessarily come at Szoboszlai’s expense - despite spending the majority of the current season as an attacking midfielder.
The Hungarian actually impressed in a deeper role against Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday night, scoring in the Reds’ 3-2 defeat to the Seagulls, with Slot confirming before the game that Szoboszlai actually considered number eight his best position.
"Dominik is playing as an eight, with Ryan as a six and Harvey a bit more forward,” he explained. “Dominik sees his best position as an eight as well, so it will be interesting to see how he does in this position."
Evidently, Szoboszlai could emerge as an option in that deeper position again in the future. But given Mac Allister’s presence, it would not be as simple as switching his role to make room for Wirtz. Slot would face something of a balancing act.
The highly-rated German is versatile too at least. While the majority of his football has come at number 10, he can also play on either flank or as a number eight. But he can also play upfront.
While Liverpool have been tipped to recruit a big-money striker this summer, given the flailing fortunes of their current centre-forward options, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Wirtz could be targeted for such a role.
The ECHO has already pointed out how the German could emerge as a ‘false nine’ akin to club legend Roberto Firmino, while Slot has at times fielded two number 10s in a box midfield at the expense of a centre-forward. You would not bet against such a system being turned to more frequently next season, depending on how the transfer window shapes up.
Wirtz does have limited experience upfront. But from a small sample size, his returns in front of goal are rather impressive.
According to Transfermarkt, he has made 15 appearances as either a centre-forward or second striker. And from such games, he boasts an impressive seven goals and seven assists.
From those games, he has been selected as a lone central attacker in a front three seven times - returning three goals and an assist.
And from his eight outings alongside a strike-partner - including in Leverkusen’s 4-0 defeat away at Liverpool last November - he boasts four goals and six assists.
It is worth noting that none of Wirtz’s appearances upfront have come in front of a number 10, with Leverkusen predominantly lining up in a 3-4-3, 3-5-2 or 4-4-2 formation.
Consequently, even if turned to upfront by Liverpool - if signed - he would have a partner of sorts courtesy of the Reds’ number 10 of choice.
When Liverpool signed Federico Chiesa last summer, the Italian was recruited to ensure the Reds boasted at least two quality options in every set position. But Slot has realised a greater need for versatility as the campaign wore on.
Such is Mohamed Salah’s durability and quality, Chiesa has barely featured. Yet Liverpool will need to utilise their right-wing alternative more next season with the Egyptian set to take part in the Africa Cup of Nations. Should the Pharaohs reach the final, he could miss as many as 10 Reds matches.
In part, that is what makes the looming signing of Frimpong that little bit more appealing with the Netherlands international seen as an alternative in a more advanced right-wing role alongside his natural right-back duties. Wirtz would also be capable of covering in the position.
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Meanwhile, Luis Diaz has been utilised as a central option across the current campaign ahead of his favoured left-wing position at times, given the ongoing struggles of both Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota.
Nunez is now expected to move on this summer, while Jota’s own Liverpool future - along with Chiesa's - is also uncertain.
While Slot initially wanted to stick with square pegs in square holes when taking over at Anfield, his Reds squad is already shaping up to be that little bit more flexible next season.
And the versatile Wirtz - who boasts 34 goals and 35 assists from 94 appearances over the past two seasons - would only enhance such a trait within the ranks as Liverpool continue to pursue his signature.
Should they break the transfer record to sign the German, it remains to be seen if they would still target a big-money striker too. But even if not, his potential arrival would ensure that the Reds are not left short in the final third.