Florian Wirtz is the calibre of player who could slot straight into the Liverpool side and instantly become one of their biggest danger-men.
While Liverpool could pay £110 million to sign Wirtz, the German international commands such a significant outlay as he is already one of the best players in the world at 21 years of age.
Furthermore, the Reds know what they are getting by potentially adding the youngster to their roster; an outstanding midfielder who has guaranteed productivity in the final third for years.
Ilkay Gundogan tipped Wirtz to become world-class and it is no secret that Liverpool could be signing a potential superstar for years to come.
Photo by Hesham Elsherif/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Hesham Elsherif/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Florian Wirtz could play in a front two at Liverpool
Jeremie Frimpong could play as a wing-back at Liverpool, a role he is accustomed to as Bayer Leverkusen deployed a 3-5-2 setup; a system Florian Wirtz knows like the back of his hand as well.
However, at Leverkusen, the Bundesliga winner was deployed as a number 10, with Xabi Alonso deploying Patrick Schick and Victor Boniface as his front two.
But perhaps Arne Slot could play the same system as Alonso but instead, task Wirtz to play as a second striker at Liverpool.
With Liverpool open to selling Cody Gakpo as well, perhaps Slot’s next tactical tweak is to task his wing-backs to provide all the width in the side: namely Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, who could head to Anfield as well.
However, Wirtz would thrive in such a system as remaining in central positions and being closer to goal might boost his goal tally as the German has registered 34 in the past two seasons already.
FLORIAN WIRTZ STATS IN THE PAST TWO SEASONS
STARTS 78
GOALS 34
ASSISTS 35
Arne Slot loves Dominik Szoboszlai and as a result, he could stick with him as his starting attacking midfielder to provide athleticism in the middle of the park.
But Slot’s potential new system could do wonders for Wirtz, who could be handed the freedom to vacate his position and make room for his Liverpool teammates like Szoboszlai to take up his role and cause havoc.
The highly-rated midfielder’s forte is his movement and considering how much he likes to veer out to the left-hand side, the Reds could have a far more fluid and unpredictable attack in the following campaign.
How Liverpool could line up with Wirtz next season
Mohamed Salah could play up front next season if Arne Slot changes his system and the prospect of the Egyptian and Wirtz in a front two would be a nightmare for defenders across Europe.
While only time will tell how Slot sets the Premier League champions up, he could very well play a back five that features Frimpong, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Jorrel Hato, who is a Liverpool target and Kerkez — if the Reds make new signings at the back.
The midfield of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Szoboszlai could remain unchanged and Alisson Becker looks set to keep his position with Salah and Wirtz fronting their attack.