A big star being eyed by several clubs from across Europe - including City. However, there is a £128m release clause in his contract with Bayer Leverkusen.A big star being eyed by several clubs from across Europe - including City. However, there is a £128m release clause in his contract with Bayer Leverkusen.
A big star being eyed by several clubs from across Europe - including City. However, there is a £128m release clause in his contract with Bayer Leverkusen. | Getty Images
Liverpool are in the final stages of signing Florian Wirtz with one statistic putting beyond doubt his ability to handle the Premier League.
Florian Wirtz looks almost certain to be a Liverpool sooner, rather than later, regardless of what number he ends up wearing.
The Germany playmaker has been the headline maker so far this summer before the transfer window has even officially opened with the latest reports suggesting that a deal is agreed and only the finer details need to be ironed out.
What is almost certain is that it will take a fee in the region of a British transfer record to persuade Bayer Leverkusen to part with one of their own and their star asset.
The question that will inevitably be asked is – will Wirtz be able to handle the pressure of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world and the intensity of the Premier League?
The Florian Wirtz statistic that rubbishes Liverpool doubts
Wirtz has consistently shouldered the burden of being Leverkusen’s main man since breaking through as a teenager. Not only this, but he is doing it in one of the hardest positions on the pitch where work rate is every bit as important as creating and scoring goals.
There is one statisitic from the 2024/25 season other than the 16 goals and 15 assists in 45 appearances that makes the 22-year old stand out though. In eight Champions League group stage games, Wirtz was man of the match on no fewer than five occasions during which he scored six goals and assisted another.
In short, he was the man for the big occasion. If he can handle that level, he can handle the Premier League and there is a reason why he would become one of Liverpool’s top earners.
Liverpool need someone who can help to lessen the burden from Mo Salah, a player who will say “I’ve got this”, and let the Anfield legend sit the odd game out without having to be dragged off the bench to save the day.
There are different types of leaders in football, the modern game sees more players leading by example, rather than shouting and bawling and kicking doors down.
Wirtz, is very much the modern leader, despite his young age, and thrives on being the one that everybody in the team can trust and turn to.
Liverpool would be signing a leader in Wirtz
Speaking to Werkself, via Bayer Leverkusen’s media team earlier this season, he explained how he sees his role on the pitch:
“I definitely try to lead the way, be somebody the team can rely on. The others should see that I'm up for it, that they can rely on me even if things aren't going so well for themselves.
“The players, particularly the younger ones in the team, should use me to pull themselves up and learn things if in doubt.
“Obviously, I try to lead the way with my football ability, do my job and make it easier for teammates by passing to them well or making good runs and thereby help them on the pitch.”
Wirtz is only at the beginning of his football career yet already carries himself with the maturity of a seasoned veteran, Liverpool have excelled in not just signing good players, but in signing good characters, and it looks like they’ve hit the jackpot once again.
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