Toni Kroos Backs Florian Wirtz After Bold Liverpool Switch

Florian Wirtz’s Liverpool career began under the Wembley arch, his debut coming in the Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace. While the Reds fell short in the penalty shootout, the 22-year-old German left the pitch with plenty to be encouraged about, displaying glimpses of why he is one of Europe’s most gifted attacking midfielders.

This summer, Wirtz made a career-defining decision. Rather than follow the well-trodden path from Bayer Leverkusen to Bayern Munich, he opted for the challenge of the Premier League, choosing to work under Arne Slot at Anfield. For many in Germany, the move came as a shock, particularly given Bayern’s strong pursuit.

Praise from Toni Kroos

Few players know more about leaving the Bundesliga for success abroad than Toni Kroos, who departed Bayern Munich in 2014 for Real Madrid and went on to conquer Europe. After watching Wirtz make a similar leap, Kroos offered high praise in his column for Kicker.

“In my opinion, you’ve done everything right by moving to Liverpool FC,” said the Real Madrid legend. “And it’s underpinning your mindset and conviction.”

Kroos acknowledged that many at Wirtz’s former club were disappointed to see him reject Bayern’s advances, yet he emphasised the midfielder’s maturity and mental strength in taking a different route.

Wirtz’s Special Qualities

Wirtz’s performances in Germany had already earned him the accolade of Kicker’s German Footballer of the Year, and Kroos was eager to underline why the Liverpool No. 7 is rated so highly.

“You’re a very special player, on so many levels,” Kroos wrote. “When I first saw you play football, I immediately noticed that you have more than just that certain something. Your sense of moving in the right spaces, your first touch, your final pass, and even your finishing, everything is special.

“And then there’s your mentality! You have the conviction in your own qualities, and you radiate that. You don’t take any nonsense, you carry a small but incredibly important portion of arrogance within you, which I hope you never let go of.”

Those who witnessed Wirtz during the runners-up medal presentation against Palace will have recognised the competitive edge Kroos described. The midfielder’s frustration at missing out on his first Liverpool trophy spoke volumes about his drive.

Exciting Future at Anfield

Wirtz’s blend of technical precision, vision and competitive mentality gives Liverpool an exciting creative option for years to come. His decision to turn down Bayern in favour of Anfield could be a pivotal moment in his career, and with the support of seasoned voices like Kroos, the belief in his path appears well-founded.

For Liverpool supporters, the anticipation is clear. A player with Wirtz’s skillset and mentality, already tested in the Bundesliga and endorsed by one of Germany’s greatest midfielders, is now wearing the red shirt. If his debut is anything to go by, his chapter at Anfield has the potential to be a defining one in Liverpool’s modern history.