Liverpool and Florian Wirtz have been at the centre of a transfer saga for some time now, with the German international edging closer to confirming his Anfield switch.
Wirtz’s future has been a hot topic in Liverpool for the past couple of weeks, with the Reds beating the likes of Manchester City and Bayern Munich to acquire his services.
Indeed, nothing is confirmed yet, but with the way the reports have been heading, it’s now only a matter of time until he becomes Arne Slot’s second signing of the summer.
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
The number 10 role wasn’t one of the priority positions on Slot’s shortlist this season, but when a player of Wirtz’s quality becomes available, it’s hard to turn that down.
That is, especially when the player has decided that his future lies with your club.
James Pearce believes Bayer Leverkusen and Liverpool will come to a ‘compromise’ soon
Speaking on The Athletic’s Walk On Podcast, James Pearce gave his verdict on the situation that Liverpool and Wirtz find themselves in.
“David Ornstein reported late last week that a second bid of £109m went in. It wasn’t accepted, but those discussions are ongoing,” he said.
“I sense an expectation from both ends that a compromise will be reached. I think it massively helped Liverpool that Wirtz has made it clear to Liverpool that he wants the move to happen.
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“There was a huge expectation that he’d be going to Bayern Munich. When we reported the interest, the people I’d spoken to said it was about trying to ensure that Liverpool would be at the front of the queue if he was prepared to move outside of Germany.
“Clearly Liverpool have done a magnificent job of selling the project to him.”
What Florian Wirtz’s transfer would mean to Dominik Szoboszlai
One of Liverpool’s best players this season has been Dominik Szoboszlai.
The Hungary international has been a key link between the Reds’ defence and attack, with the attacking midfielder contributing to a fair number of goals throughout the campaign.
Games Goals Assists
49 8 9
The 2024-25 season of Dominik Szoboszlai in numbers.
Slot uses three players in his midfield, and of the three, Szoboszlai is the one who plays the furthest forward.
When Wirtz comes in, however, the German’s preferred position is attacking midfield, and while he can be used at striker if needed, he’s far more effective when he’s able to pick up the ball and run at the opposition’s defence.
Ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, there’s likely going to be a hard decision made between Slot’s three usual midfield trio.
Each of the three deserves their place in the team, with each one bringing something different to the squad.
However, if Slot is going to break Liverpool’s transfer record for Wirtz, he can’t exactly leave him out.
This means that Szoboszlai will likely move into a deeper role with Alexis Mac Allister taking over Ryan Gravenberch’s defensive midfield spot.
Of course, there will be times that this can change, but on the face of things, having Wirtz, Szoboszlai and Mac Allister as the Liverpool manager’s regular trio makes the most sense.