Liverpool looked poised to get their hands on Bayer Leverkusen and Germany hotshot Florian Wirtz this summer as they look to retain their status as Premier League champions – and the 22-year-old has publicly hit back at reports that suggest that he wants to take the No.10 shirt off Alexis Mac Allister.
Born and raised in Pulheim, Wirtz has emerged as one of Europe’s world-beating youngsters – and Arne Slot, looking to add depth to his already-potent attack force, is keen to secure the services of the Germany international, whose current deal expires in 2027.
What with interest from Manchester City and, more importantly, Bayern Munich, the Reds are having to pay above the odds as a means of fending off competition from other rivals. Amid the reports of him moving to Liverpool ramp up, he’s taken to Instagram to shut down the prospect of him taking Mac Allister’s number.
Wirtz Hits Back at Reports of Wanting No.10 Shirt
'Don't believe everything what's written'
Florian Plettenberg, a journalist residing from Wirtz's homeland of Germany, took to X (formerly Twitter) recently to suggest that the attacking midfielder, widely regarded as one of the best players in world football, is keen to wear the No.10 shirt at Anfield, thus taking it off Mac Allister.
“Florian Wirtz would like to wear the number 10 shirt at Liverpool FC. He currently wears it at Leverkusen as well and the number 17 shirt for Germany,” he wrote before adding: “At the Reds, Alexis Mac Allister currently wears the number 10.”
"LFC are very optimistic about reaching an agreement with Bayer 04 soon. Unless a Liverpool player is included in the deal, Leverkusen are demanding a fee up to €140-150m.”
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As alluded to, Mac Allister currently dons the No.10 strip at Anfield – and the reports of Wirtz’s preference may have come as a surprise to those associated with the club given the Argentine’s influence on how Liverpool performed and, therefore, succeeded in Slot’s maiden campaign.
But Wirtz, a 29-cap Germany international, has taken to Instagram to respond to Plettenberg’s comments. In utter disbelief, he wrote: “Who says I want the 10? I respect players. Don’t believe everything what’s written.”