Florian Wirtz and Liverpool: Christian Falk Reveals Shock England Visit
In a recent The Anfield Wrap podcast special, football journalist Christian Falk joined John Gibbons to discuss the surprise developments surrounding Florian Wirtz and his potential move to the Premier League — with Liverpool emerging as a genuine contender. Falk, well-known for his inside access to German football, brought heavyweight insight into the conversation, warning fans: “Whenever you talk about a German player linking into Liverpool, everyone gets very excited.”
Christian Falk on Wirtz’s Secret Trip to England
Falk dropped a bombshell early in the podcast. Despite Bayern Munich being in “the driver’s seat” for Wirtz, the Bayer Leverkusen star secretly travelled to England. “We were very surprised when we heard about a trip he did on Tuesday to England. I heard about the flight, so I sent one of my reporters,” said Falk, underlining the cloak-and-dagger nature of the visit.
Wirtz flew into Blackpool Airport, a hub Falk noted was also used by Virgil van Dijk before his move. The reason? It’s “a little bit quieter than flying into Liverpool or Manchester.” According to Falk, this low-profile visit included meetings not only with Manchester City, but also with Liverpool. “Today we heard they even had a meeting with Liverpool. That was really surprising,” Falk confirmed.
"They went to Blackpool, we heard they had a meeting with Liverpool. The price is €150m, Bayern are offering €100m.”
“Leverkusen talked with his dad and he said they would speak with other clubs. Leverkusen would rather sell to a team in England.”@cfbayern on Wirtz links 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/NgnSOp9YNy
— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) May 14, 2025
Liverpool’s Interest: Pragmatic or Punchy?
While Manchester City made a concrete offer to Leverkusen, Falk noted that Liverpool’s financial power is traditionally more measured. “He’s a very, very expensive player… I don’t think Liverpool spends so much money because he will cost a lot,” Falk said bluntly. The quoted fee? “€150 million,” though Bayern’s opening bid stands closer to €100 million.
Falk, however, stressed that Wirtz would be worth the price. “He’s not just a player who is creating goals… Florian can hurt players… This is a mixture which you don’t have often.”
Versatility and Fit Under Arne Slot
One of the main discussion points was Wirtz’s tactical fit. “He’s a number 10,” Falk said, “but he can play really every position in every system.” Bayern even considered adapting their structure to accommodate him alongside Jamal Musiala. Gibbons raised a valid point about Liverpool’s current shape under Arne Slot, noting the system doesn’t obviously accommodate a No.10. But Falk countered with comparisons to Lionel Messi’s “false nine” role: “There was also an idea that he can play a little bit like Messi did at Barcelona.”
Personality and Premier League Pressure
Beyond his footballing skills, Falk painted Wirtz as an introverted, humble character. “He’s a very, very quiet person. So you won’t see many interviews… He’s not a guy who is running around and driving a Ferrari or a Lamborghini.” In Falk’s view, this quiet humility makes him a good fit for Liverpool’s ethos: “Humble goes well in Liverpool.”
But there’s caution. “I’m not sure if he can keep this kind of pressure,” Falk admitted, referencing the financial tug-of-war and whether Wirtz can handle Leverkusen forcing a stay if bids fall short.
Door Still Open for Liverpool?
Despite Bayern’s confidence — “they’re very, very sure that he will join them” — Falk left listeners with hope. “If you go to a plane and fly secretly to England, I think there’s still a door open.” And that’s all Liverpool fans need.
In a summer that could define the Slot era, Florian Wirtz might just be the kind of audacious statement that says: Liverpool mean business again.
