After years of speculation and relentless transfer rumors, Florian Wirtz has finally made his move to the Premier League. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder, widely regarded as one of Europe’s brightest talents, joins Liverpool in a record-breaking deal that signals a new era under Arne Slot. Known for his flair, intelligence, and end-product, Wirtz isn’t just another exciting prospect—he’s a player ready to make an immediate impact.
But what exactly makes him so special? Why have Liverpool broken the bank to bring him in? In this analysis, we’ll break down Wirtz’s unique qualities, his tactical fit under Slot, and what his arrival means for Liverpool’s midfield hierarchy.
Who is Florian Wirtz?
Born in Stuttgart on May 3, 2003, Florian Wirtz is an attacking midfielder who was signed by Liverpool for a fee of €136 million (which could rise to €150 million with bonuses), making him the most expensive signing in Premier League history.
He began his football journey at Brauweiler Youth, a team that paved the way for his move to Cologne’s academy in 2010.
In 2020, Bayer Leverkusen signed the young German for €200,000—a small investment that has paid off handsomely thanks to his outstanding performances (16 goals and 14 assists in 46 appearances this season).
One of the Bundesliga’s best players in recent years, Wirtz has been brought in to help revitalize a Liverpool side once again dreaming of Champions League glory. Let’s take a closer look at his on-field performance.
A Unique Player
Compared to other midfielders in the top seven leagues, Florian Wirtz clearly stands out in terms of attacking performance. A footballer who excels across the board: dribbling, attacking movement, duels, touches in the opponent’s box… A unique player.
What most sets him apart from other central midfielders in the top seven leagues is his average of expected goals and assists (he’s highly involved in offensive actions), progressive dribbling (his stride and ball control allow him to show off his pace), and successful dribbles (both in open spaces and tight areas, thanks to his exceptional turning ability and two-footed play). He’s the kind of agile, skillful attacker that teams must watch carefully—because he’s among Europe’s best.
His level is so high that among Bundesliga attacking players, only Michael Olise ranks higher. Wirtz is dynamic, intelligent, consistent, and fast. He has everything it takes to be a generational attacking midfielder.
Omnipresence in Its Purest Form
His heatmap reflects his consistent influence in the final third. He is a player who operates and orchestrates from the attacking zone, constantly popping up across the pitch to provide fluidity, quality, and dynamism in transitions.
Wirtz has a 69% probability of starting as an attacking midfielder for Bayer Leverkusen—his natural role, and one that fits perfectly into Arne Slot’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
That said, he’s also capable of playing on the wings or even as a false nine, creating space and operating cleverly behind the defense. He’s a dynamic player in both his movement and impact.
What Makes Him Different?
Over the last two Bundesliga seasons, the German midfielder has attempted the most dribbles (328). With a success rate of 49.1%, he stands out as one of the best dribblers both in terms of volume (most attempted) and efficiency (above average). He often operates on the left flank, where he combines with teammates in tight triangles or exploits space in front of goal.
His technical quality doesn’t make him lazy off the ball, either. Wirtz won the most possessions in the final third in the Bundesliga last season—47 recoveries—creating quick transitions thanks to intense, intelligent pressing. A pressing leader and a spark for his team.
Of his 12 Bundesliga assists last season, most came from vertical passes into space or directly into the box. He’s the kind of player who breaks defensive lines with a single pass, consistently creating scoring chances. Wirtz is the only player in the German league to record double digits in both goals and assists for two consecutive seasons—an achievement matched only by his new teammate, Mohamed Salah.
Transfer and Contract Figures
Florian Wirtz’s transfer was finalized for approximately €136 million, with bonuses potentially raising it to €150 million.
He signed a contract until 2030, earning around €200,000 per week—almost €60,000 less than his salary at Bayer Leverkusen.
That equates to roughly €12 million per season, making him the third-highest earner at the club, behind only Salah (€24M) and Van Dijk (€21M). His salary is on par with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s, showing that finances were not a major factor in his decision.
The Fight for a Starting Spot
Wirtz’s arrival directly impacts another Bundesliga import with high expectations: Dominik Szoboszlai.
The Hungarian midfielder joined Liverpool from Leipzig to become a key attacking presence with his ball-carrying and long-range shooting. But his inconsistency under Arne Slot has left questions about his role.
Wirtz looks set to take control of that area of the pitch, bringing better numbers and stronger performances than Szoboszlai had upon arrival. While both could coexist in the same lineup—perhaps with Szoboszlai playing deeper—Wirtz would be the clear first choice in the No. 10 role.
Why Florian Wirtz?
Florian Wirtz is already considered one of the top attacking midfielders in the world. His creativity, directness, dribbling, and dynamism make him a complete player—and a perfect fit for Arne Slot’s tactical model.
He brings that extra touch of “magic” that Liverpool needs in tight games. Alongside Salah and Luis Díaz, he could be decisive in big moments.
€136 million is a massive fee, but for a player like Wirtz, it might actually be undervalued. He is, without a doubt, one of the signings of the summer.
Will he settle quickly at Liverpool, or will adapting to the world’s most demanding league be his biggest challenge?
Conclusion
Florian Wirtz isn’t just a signing for the future—he’s a player for the present. His numbers speak for themselves, but it’s the way he influences games that truly sets him apart. Whether breaking lines with a perfectly timed pass, gliding past defenders with elegant dribbles, or initiating the press high up the pitch, Wirtz offers a complete profile for the modern attacking midfielder.
He arrives at Liverpool not just as the most expensive signing in Premier League history, but as a statement of intent. Slot has a new centerpiece for his attacking structure, and if Wirtz adapts as expected, he could be the key to unlocking silverware at Anfield once again.
The question now is not whether Florian Wirtz can thrive in England—it’s how quickly he’ll make the Premier League his own.