Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz
Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz(Image: Pau Barrena/Getty Images)
Florian Wirtz has been likened to former Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho as the Reds continue their attempt to sign the Germany international. Talks are ongoing between Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen over Wirtz, who has expressed his desire to move to Anfield.
The Reds last week saw a second bid of €130million (£109m) rejected with Leverkusen holding out for €150m (£125m), although both clubs are keen for a resolution as soon as possible.
Coutinho was a key creative force for Liverpool during five years at the club before joining Barcelona for £142m in January 2018.
READ MORE: Liverpool have already given game away over next major transfer move
And former Reds striker Emile Heskey has seen similarities between the Brazilian and 22-year-old Wirtz, who has forged his reputation as a number 10 with Leverkusen.
“The potential signing of Florian Wirtz would be great for Liverpool," said Heskey. "He’s a fantastic player and having watched a few clips of him, he reminds me of Philippe Coutinho. His way of manoeuvring the ball and getting into those pockets of space really reminds me of him, his dribbling and finishing is top class also.
“That type of player has been missing from this Liverpool side for a while, who can really do well in those tight spaces and create some more chances through the middle."
Heskey, though, believes the Reds should strengthen their attacking options even further with a new number nine in the mould of another former Brazil international.
“I’d like to see Liverpool bring in a centre forward too," he said. "They’ve been missing that since Roberto Firmino. You only realise his impact on the team when you look at his goals and those of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah either side of him.
"He’d score about 15 goals a season with the other two scoring 20 plus, so that’s around 60 goals from your front three every season.
“Nowadays, it’s only Salah putting up those numbers. They’ve got to bolster that number nine position and bring in a proper goalscorer. We’ve seen what Erling Haaland has done at Manchester City.
"Alexander Isak has shown the importance of a goalscoring number nine for Newcastle this season, too.”
Liverpool have already brought in Jeremie Frimpong for £29m from Leverkusen to replace the departed Trent Alexander-Arnold. And Heskey anticipates both Frimpong and Conor Bradley to be rotated at right-back by Reds head coach Arne Slot next season.
“It’s horses for courses when it comes down to Arne Slot’s decision on whether to play Jeremie Frimpong or Conor Bradley,” he said, speaking to Poker Scout.
“Bradley is more defensive although he can get up and down, and Frimpong looks more attacking-minded.
“Frimpong started as a winger and now can play a more defensive role at right wing-back or right-back. When players arrive, they always want to start playing straight away but it would be a shame if Bradley didn’t get any minutes at the start of next season.”