Quotes'Can't stand losing', 'magic' and 'nerves of steel' – what the football world says about Florian Wirtz
The attacking midfielder, an invincible Bundesliga winner with Bayer Leverkusen in 2023-24, is now officially a Red having sealed that much-anticipated move to join Arne Slot’s Premier League champions on Friday.
His arrival at Anfield is the latest step in a career path that has made Wirtz one of the most captivating and sought-after players in the European game at the age of 22.
Here, we take a look at what those who have worked with, analysed, opposed and admired Wirtz have said about the talents he is bringing to Liverpool…
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“Flo is one of the top players in the world – he’s world-class. Why is [Lionel] Messi so good? Because he knows how and when to play simple passes. Messi says, ‘You’re in a better position? Here, there you have the ball.’ It’s not always about making the most brilliant move, but the best and smartest. Florian can do that. That’s why he’s so good.”
Xabi Alonso, Wirtz’s former coach at Leverkusen
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“Even then, as now, Florian had abilities that were different from those of the others. And he simply had fun with football and always had an eye for a better-positioned teammate.
“It was always our desire that Florian have fun when playing football. That should continue to be the top priority, even if you now have to consider a few other things in your career. But fundamentally all the numbers are of no interest. He should have fun and play football well, and we as a family will of course enjoy that.”
Hans-Joachim Wirtz, his father and youth coach at SV Grun-Weiss Brauweiler
“A big talent, has done fantastically for Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen. There is talk he’s going to be a really big signing. Big talent, huge future in front of him. Liverpool is the place for him, let’s hope we can make it happen.”
Steven Gerrard, former Liverpool captain
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“On a day-to-day basis, he’s exactly how you see him on the pitch. He is impressive. He plays like he’s been playing for 10 years. He’s intelligent. He’s also a great person. He was the first one who took care of me when I arrived at the club [Leverkusen]: he was my first friend. Flo asked me about Celtic, invited me to his house, we would go out for dinner. He did things to make me feel at home.”
Jeremie Frimpong, new Reds player and previously Wirtz’s teammate at Leverkusen
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“He was excellent against us [for Germany versus Scotland at Euro 2024], I do remember that. Obviously that game was extremely tough for us but he was excellent, he was the one causing us problems in the half-space, running in behind, he can mix it up. I haven’t seen too much of him but I have played against him and I think that was enough for me to see he was going to be a top player. Then obviously we played Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League this year as well; we dominated that game a bit more and it was probably a bit more difficult, but certainly in the German team against us he was excellent.
“If we get him through, then [it is] an exciting talent through the door. We’ve already got a lot of exciting talent in there and he’s a right good player and he’ll only help us. If he does get through the door, we’ll be excited to play with him.”
Andy Robertson, Liverpool and Scotland defender
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“When he was 15, he already played like a professional in the Bundesliga. It was not only his skills and his technique, but the game he played in his mind. He played football like it was chess and he did things you normally don’t see in youth players. He would think about what comes in the second or third phase, after passing the ball. It was amazing.
“But when anyone asks me, ‘What’s special about Florian Wirtz?’, I say that he has the greatest ambition I’ve ever seen in football from a player, young or old. His will to win. You could see that when he was 10 years old, when he was with me at 16 years old and nowadays, too. He can’t stand losing and that’s something he has had from the very beginning.”
Martin Heck, Wirtz’s U17 coach at Cologne
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“Wirtz doesn’t just want to be involved in the attacking play, he wants to be the decisive part of it. He is straightforward and clear-minded. He waits, he picks his moments, and can alter the speed of a game with one touch or pass.
“That’s why he seems ideal for Liverpool. The system of play there has pace, vertical direction and a clear allocation of roles within the team that should suit him really well.”
Philipp Lahm, World Cup winner with Germany
“He will bring a lot of class and poise. He is more or less the fully formed article. He has played for Leverkusen and Germany so knows the demands that are on him, but still, he will have to adjust to the pace of the Premier League and the more physical way. Opponents will try to negate his influence and that might prove a challenge, but he is young enough and good enough. He is not easily intimidated and stands up strong to the challenge. You are buying a superstar.”
Raphael Honigstein, German football expert
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“People often use the word ‘magic’ about him. You can scarcely believe it, but he’s so quick with the ball at his feet and so hard to knock off it. He shakes off physically stronger opponents and gets out of tricky situations. He’s absolute gold for our attacking play.”
Jonas Hofmann, a former teammate at Leverkusen
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“Florian is just a huge asset for this team [Germany] with his care-free nature. He’s simply an outstanding technician, loves to play, is very creative, has a good shot, runs hard and is quick. He’s the full package.”
Hansi Flick, former Germany national coach
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“It will add something totally different to Liverpool.
“Wirtz is about the last pass. He has got a great change of pace, he is used to physical attention and the way Liverpool have reconstructed their midfield maybe creates a space where he can have that extra bit of freedom that Xabi Alonso granted him [at Leverkusen].”
Andy Brassell, European football writer
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“We’ve known for some time what a prospect he is. And he’s shown he’s well adept in the Bundesliga and he’s got massive potential to do the same in the Premier League. It’s a bit tougher but he’s a special talent. He’s a bit flamboyant and can get himself out of tricky situations but he’s very game as well and he doesn’t shy away from any tackles. He’s very creative and he’s got an eye for a goal, which are all the trademarks of exactly what we need to make us a better team.”
John Aldridge, former Reds striker
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“What sets him apart is that he is very, very clear-headed in the final third. He has nerves of steel and keeps a picture of what’s happening, giving him the quality to make the right decision.”
Gerardo Seoane, former Leverkusen coach