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Florian Wirtz and Liverpool – Excitement, Caution and What Comes Next

Liverpool Meet with Wirtz – But Is It Serious?

On a rare quiet day post-title win, Liverpool’s name was suddenly linked with one of the most talented young players in Europe – Florian Wirtz. According to The Daily Red podcast with Dave Hendrick, the Leverkusen star recently travelled to England and held meetings with both Liverpool and Manchester City.

“Florian Wirtz met with the club yesterday… he met with us and he met with City,” confirmed Hendrick. But before fans get too excited, Hendrick offered a sobering perspective on what that really means: “I think he’s probably using both clubs to push Bayern into making that deal happen because I think that’s where he wants to go.”

Bayern Bound, Not Anfield?

Wirtz, a 21-year-old creative force at the heart of Xabi Alonso’s title-winning Leverkusen side, has attracted major interest. But Hendrick doubts Liverpool are seriously in the mix, especially financially. “City are offering him about £400 grand a week,” he revealed, adding: “We’re not going to pay him that kind of wage.”

The implication? While Liverpool’s meeting with Wirtz shows ambition and planning, the likelihood of a deal seems remote. “I don’t see it as a likely deal for us,” Hendrick said. “I also don’t think it’s likely he goes to City. I think he ultimately will end up at Bayern.”

Tactical Fit or Transfer Fantasy?

Wirtz’s positional profile makes the conversation even murkier. Hendrick made it clear where he thinks the German might fit: “I could see how he would fit for us in that left-wing position… as the Paixão-type 10 hybrid player.”

But signing Wirtz would come with risk. “The minute you sign him, the minute the clock starts on him going to Real Madrid or Bayern,” Hendrick said. “I don’t think he’s the type of player that would stick with Liverpool or even City for more than three or four years.”

His conclusion? “I would rather we sign Rodrygo,” Hendrick stated, citing the Real Madrid star as a more durable and Premier League-suited solution for Liverpool’s left flank.

Respecting What We’ve Got

Hendrick also used the Wirtz speculation to highlight how underappreciated Liverpool’s current options have become, especially in midfield: “It disgusts me how much people have overlooked the role that Dominik Szoboszlai has played in this team this season.”

He pointed out that both Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister “got completely overlooked”. “We don’t need to sign a starting number 10,” Hendrick insisted. “If we sign a 10, it should be a 10 that can play off the left – which Wirtz can.”

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