Florian Wirtz’s spiky five-word comment says a lot as Liverpool push for mega-money deal

Liverpool have joined Manchester City and Bayern Munich in the race to sign highly-rated Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz, having made contact with the German’s representatives

Florian Wirtz showed Liverpool exactly the type of player they could be signing this summer with his spiky comments in the media. The German international has become a prime target for Liverpool as they plan their future after winning a record-equalling 20th league title this season.

The Reds are already pushing ahead with their pursuit of reinforcements to successfully defend their Premier League crown. Most notably, Anfield bosses have activated Jeremie Frimpong’s £30million release clause, with their first summer signing expected to be announced in the coming days.

However, Liverpool have also made contact with Frimpong’s Leverkusen team-mate Wirtz’s representatives to voice their interest. The Reds, however, have been told to expect competition from European rivals Manchester City and Bayern Munich.

It’s no surprise that the 22-year-old has such high-profile clubs vying for his signature, having made a name for himself when he starred as Leverkusen achieved an unbeaten domestic double last season.

He has gone on to net 16 goals and provide 15 assists in 46 matches across all competitions this term. But the midfielder’s mentality and conduct in the dressing room should be as alluring as his world-class talent for a club with Liverpool’s aspirations.

Despite his reserved demeanour on the outside, Wirtz is confident in himself and doesn’t go out of his own way to alter others’ perceptions of him. His presence is felt among team-mates as a leader even though he may not be the most vocal member of the team.

Wirtz showed his willingness to speak his mind last summer after a TikTok video from the national team in which he ranked his favourite foods went viral, having said: “Normal potatoes I would say are number one.”

It became a meme within German football as fans plastered potato images over his face, and the quote even made it into summer dance tracks. Wirtz, meanwhile, didn’t see the funny side.

He showed his mindset in a telling five-word answer in an interview with Kicker: “I don’t find it entertaining.” Wirtz added: “Especially those who know me – and myself – don’t understand why that blew up.”

Unlike some young talents who may develop inflated egos, Wirtz appears to still be popular among his team-mates. Lukas Hradecky, Leverkusen’s goalkeeper, said: “He’s a great baller and a bit cheeky, that helps him,” and once summed up the midfielder’s flair by saying: “Flo is doing Flo things.”

His former Germany boss Hansi Flick, who recently won La Liga with Barcelona, also spoke glowingly about the youngster’s character.

Flick explained: “Florian is just a huge asset with his care-free nature. He’s simply an outstanding technician, loves to play, is very creative, has a good shot, runs hard and is quick. He’s the full package.”

Earlier this month, German outlet BILD reported that Wirtz and his parents are keen for him to leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

It was also reported that he had verbally agreed a deal with newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayern. However, those claims were dismissed by sections of the German press.

That was followed by claims that Wirtz’s representatives had travelled to England to hold talks with Pep Guardiola at City’s training ground last week, before it emerged via BILD that his agent-father had actually met with Liverpool.

However, while Liverpool remain outsiders to sign the 2023/24 Bundesliga Player of the Season, The Athletic report they are expected to finalise the signing of Frimpong on a five-year contract.

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