Florian Wirtz beforehand drew comparisons to Lionel Messi by his ex-manager Xabi Alonso, who helped oversee his growth at Bayer Leverkusen.
Liverpool have submitted a second supply to safe the 22-year-old’s signature, tabling a bid price as much as £109 million as they push ahead with making an early assertion signing.
The German worldwide favours a transfer to Anfield and with the membership assured of placing a take care of Leverkusen, it’s only a matter of time earlier than his arrival is predicted to be introduced.
With that in thoughts, it will likely be of curiosity to many who could not have often seen Wirtz dwell in motion to listen to how ex-Purple and now Actual Madrid supervisor Alonso views the playmaker.
Alonso and Wirtz labored collectively from October 2022 till the tip of the present season, and he mentioned in a press convention earlier this month: “Flo is likely one of the prime gamers on this planet.
“He’s world-class. Flo has a really mature thoughts. The folks round him, his mother and father, they need the very best for him.
“They’re in a vital second of his profession. No matter he does, I’m actually near Flo, and I will likely be pleased for him.”
In early 2023, Alonso even drew comparisons to Lionel Messi when discussing Wirtz and what makes him a particular expertise – the German was solely 19 on the time.
“There are good gamers and there are gamers who look good on the pitch,” Alonso mentioned. “The participant who seems good does issues which might be good, however not essentially environment friendly.
“Why is Messi so good? As a result of he is aware of how and when to play easy passes. Messi says: ‘You’re in a greater place? Right here, there you have got the ball!’
“It’s not at all times about making essentially the most good transfer, however the very best and smartest. Florian can do this. That’s why he’s so good.”
Spectacular, proper?
Wirtz is “unbelievably clever”
One other who has watched Wirtz’s growth carefully is Leverkusen’s former govt CEO assistant, Devin Ozek, who advised Sky Sports activities: “He’s an unbelievably clever participant, to grasp areas between the traces, creating probabilities, a complicated playmaker.
“But when we discuss Florian Wirtz, we’ve to provide numerous credit score to (Leverkusen director of sport) Simon Rolfes, as a result of he did a giant job in signing him.
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“He believed from the primary second in him and likewise (chief govt) Fernando Carro, each are answerable for this signing.
“And for me, it’s probably the greatest signings within the Bundesliga historical past. He’s within the prime class.”
Liverpool will hope that may prolong to probably the greatest signings in Premier League historical past quickly sufficient.
