Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen have reportedly reached a transfer agreement as midfielder Florian Wirtz arrives at the Premier League champions in the summer of 2025. Undoubtedly, it has been one of the most eye-catching moves of the transfer window yet.
The German wonderkid, still just 22, is expected to become the most expensive signing in Premier League history when the deal is officially completed. The attacking midfielder helped Bayer Leverkusen secure the Bundesliga title in 2024 and go a full domestic season unbeaten, but he is set to jump ship and move to the Premier League, where he will be put under the microscope several times.
Without any doubt, his move to Anfield comes with huge expectations—not just because of the reported £116.5m (€137.5m), made up of £100m plus £16.5m in potential add-ons, but because Liverpool is positioning Wirtz to be a long-term game-changer for them. Liverpool tickets will also most likely see a surge in sales, with many fans looking to watch the Premier League’s most expensive signing in action.
In this opinion piece, the focus is to see from the view of the Liverpool fans, coaching staff, and football pundits, what is being expected from the German star —both in terms of performance on the pitch and the numbers that back up his talent.
Wirtz to Lead a New Midfield Core
Despite winning the Premier League last season, Liverpool are in a transitional phase. The Reds failed to buy players last summer, but with Arne Slot now fully at the helm, there’s a shift in playing philosophy, and players that fit the profile will be brought in. Wirtz is expected to be central to that change.
Liverpool have struggled with creativity in their midfield over the past few seasons. Since Philippe Coutinho left the club, the Reds have relied on fullbacks – Trent Alexander-Arnold (who has left for Real Madrid), and Andy Robertson (who is also on the verge of leaving the club) – as their creation outlets, while forwards Mohammed Salah and Luis Diaz continue to make an impact on the wing.
Looking at the Premier League assists chart for the 2024-25 season, Salah finished top with 18 assists to his name. He also won the Golden Boot award. The closest Liverpool players on the assists ranking chart were Trent and Dominik Szoboszlai, who both finished with six. It goes to show the over-reliance of the club on Salah to get the goals and make them, but with the imminent arrival of Wirtz, that could leave a lot of the burden off the 33-year-old Egyptian.
With the fee he is coming in for, Wirtz is expected to be the spark that reignites Liverpool’s attacking rhythm from the center of the park. He’s a playmaker by nature, known for his vision, intelligent positioning, and slick passing. At just 22, he could become the heart of Liverpool’s midfield for the next decade.
His tactical flexibility—being able to play as a No. 10, advanced No. 8, or even as a left-sided attacker—makes him not just a vital chess piece, but one that can help Liverpool make tactical adjustments in tight fixtures. One cannot deny the fact that the fee he is coming in for brings a lot of pressure, so he will certainly be judged by his goal contributions. Meanwhile, he can also be rated based on his control of the tempo, his ability to unlock defenses, and how well he links up with the forward line. Expectation? Become the engine and brain of Liverpool’s midfield.
At Leverkusen last season, he registered 16 goals and 15 assists in all competitions—a total of 31 goal contributions in 45 appearances. With such numbers in the Premier League, he will be regarded as an instant hit. Given the attacking talents high up the pitch at the club, it’s reasonable to expect even higher assist numbers, potentially crossing the 15-assist mark in all competitions.
‘He is a special talent’ – Aldridge on Wirtz
Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge thinks imminent new signing Florian Wirtz is a special talent and the German’s flexibility will be key for Arne Slot.
“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 told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“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 [Liverpool] need to make us a better team.
“It gives the manager options because he is very flexible. He can play in a few positions and he can actually play as a centre-forward, like a Roberto Firmino type. He could play there at a push but I don’t think we’ve actually bought him for that – the flexibility he will give us in midfield will be excellent.”
Competition, Pressure, And Learning From The Past
There is active competition in the Liverpool squad, especially in midfield, where there are players like Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Curtis Jones. This is to say, Wirtz will need to prove his worth early and instantly. The Premier League doesn’t allow much time for bedding in. And given the fee, media pressure will be immense.
However, Wirtz has always thrived under pressure. At Leverkusen, he made his debut at 17 and carried the team creatively by age 20. Liverpool fans will hope he brings that same confidence and maturity to Anfield.
In terms of the big buys for Liverpool, they have had mixed outcomes. While Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker were instant successes, others like Naby Keïta and Darwin Núñez, who could even leave the club, have particularly failed to deliver the goods. In Wirtz’s case, the club must support Wirtz with patience, the right tactical role, and solid man-management.
Florian Wirtz Arrives Under Slot’s Tutelage
Given Arne Slot’s reputation for nurturing young talents, Wirtz is in safe hands. But the rest outside the club is different; with the right system around Wirtz’s strengths, Liverpool could be looking at their next superstar.