Florian Wirtz has given Liverpool a glimpse of what it could be getting this summer with his fiery remarks in the press.
The German international is high on the Reds’ wish list as they look to build for the future after clinching their 20th league title, equaling the record. It’s believed Manchester City will not make a move for Wirtz, while popular pundit Ally McCoist has warned Premier League clubs not to pay his “crazy” price tag.
The Reds are already making strides in their quest for reinforcements to successfully retain their Premier League title. Notably, Anfield chiefs have triggered Jeremie Frimpong’s release clause, with the announcement of their first summer signing anticipated in the next few days.
However, Liverpool has also reached out to Frimpong’s Bayer Leverkusen colleague Wirtz’s agents to express its interest. But club bosses have been warned to brace themselves for competition from European heavyweights Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
It’s hardly surprising that the 22-year-old is attracting such prestigious clubs, having made a name for himself when he shone in Leverkusen’s unbeaten domestic double last season.
He has since scored 16 goals and provided 15 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions this campaign. However, the midfielder’s attitude and behaviour off the pitch should be as enticing as his world-class skills for a club with Liverpool’s ambitions.
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Despite what many might think due to his reserved exterior, Florian Wirtz carries himself with an understated confidence and isn’t fussed about changing perceptions. He may not be the type to shout about it, but he commands respect as an influential figure within the dressing room.
The story goes that last summer, a snippet of Wirtz’s culinary preferences made waves on TikTok when he rated “Normal potatoes I would say are number one.”
This seemingly innocuous comment caught on like wildfire, sparking hilarity in the German soccer community. Supporters playfully superimposed potato images onto photos of him, inspiring catchy tunes for the summer season. However, Wirtz wasn’t amused by the internet shenanigans.
His response to the viral moment was characteristically straightforward during a Kicker magazine interview: “I don’t find it entertaining.”
Wirtz expounded on this, saying: “Especially those who know me – and myself – don’t understand why that blew up.”
It’s worth noting that Wirtz manages to maintain his standing among peers even without the air of celebrity; he remains well-regarded in the squad. Leverkusen’s goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky has both lauded his skillfulness and his touch of sass on the pitch, encapsulating Wirtz’s playing style with a pithy phrase: “Flo is doing Flo things.”
Hansi Flick, the former Germany manager who recently clinched La Liga with Barcelona, has heaped praise on the young talent. Flick said: “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.”
Reports earlier in the month from German publication BILD suggested that Florian Wirtz and his family were eager for a summer move away from Leverkusen. Rumors swirled of a verbal agreement with Bayern, the fresh Bundesliga victors, but these were quickly refuted.
Subsequently, there was buzz about Wirtz’s agents visiting Manchester to discuss prospects with Pep Guardiola at City’s training facilities. Yet, BILD later revealed that it was actually Liverpool that his agent-father had engaged with.
