While the football world wonders if Florian wirtz With his starting role in Liverpool's crucial Premier League clash against Manchester City, it's inevitable to question whether his move to Anfield was the right decision. Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro had no doubt that the young German's destination would have been Real Madrid had Xabi Alonso taken the reins there, but Florentino Pérez's decision-making power changed the course of events. In the end, the choice of Florian wirtz It was narrowed down to three giants: Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool, ultimately choosing the latter. But was it the best option?
“I wanted to be part of this team”
The decision Florian wirtz His decision to join Liverpool was based on several factors. He was impressed by the quality of Arne Slot's team and the club's facilities after the Reds' resounding victory over his Leverkusen in last season's Champions League. Furthermore, the celebrations of Liverpool's twentieth league title captivated him. "I just wanted to be part of this team," he confessed to the club's official website.
However, the decisive factor was Slot's promise to make him an absolutely integral part of the team. The Dutch coach's detailed plan, which placed Florian wirtz In his preferred number 10 position, just behind the center forward, he sealed the deal. This contrasted sharply with his doubts about a regular role at Bayern Munich due to the presence of Jamal Musiala. However, Liverpool's erratic form seems to have forced Slot to shelve, at least temporarily, that master plan.
A start that “damages” Liverpool’s balance
Florian wirtz He started the first four Premier League games but didn't contribute to any goals during that winning run, which led to criticism of his high transfer fee. When the team's results worsened, he became something of a scapegoat, even though his difficulties adapting to the pace of the league were unrelated to the team's defensive problems on set pieces.
Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney commented on his BBC podcast: “I think Wirtz actually damages Liverpool’s balance and how they play.” While acknowledging his quality, Rooney pointed to his slow start and questioned his fit in Liverpool’s 4-3-3 system, preferring Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield. Worryingly for Florian wirtzIt seems that Coach Slot now shares that preference.
Overtaken by the competition
With the excitement of the record signing of Florian wirtzDominik Szoboszlai's role faded into the background. Despite his crucial part in last season's title win, it was assumed that the German would take his place. Wirtz was seen as the necessary upgrade, a number 10 with a proven ability to both score and assist.
However, the reality has been different. While Florian wirtz Although he hasn't scored for his new club yet, Szoboszlai already has two goals, including a spectacular winning free kick against Arsenal, and twice as many assists (four) in all competitions. Given that the midfield trio of Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, and Alexis Mac Allister were key to the recent victories that halted the team's poor run of form, it seems likely that Slot will rely on them for Sunday's game against City.
Would he have been a better fit at City?
It was widely reported that Pep Guardiola had identified Florian wirtz as the ideal successor to Kevin De Bruyne at Manchester City. His blend of work ethic and innovation perfectly fits the profile of the number 10 that Guardiola is looking for. So why didn't he end up at the Etihad?
Accounts vary: some sources claim City considered his £100 million price tag excessive, while others insist the player himself withdrew from the deal because Guardiola wouldn't guarantee his stay beyond 2027. Florian wirtz He really rejected City, he may now regret it, as he probably would have adapted immediately to one of the two attacking midfield roles in Guardiola's 4-1-4-1 formation.
Patience is key: “It will be amazing, trust me.”
Despite the difficulties, figures like Ilkay Gundogan argue that too much attention is being paid to the transfer fee. “It’s not Flo’s fault he cost so much […] Anyone who doesn’t see his exceptional quality doesn’t really understand much about football,” Gundogan stated. Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy agrees, pointing out that Florian wirtz He has had bad luck creating chances that his teammates have not converted.
It's no coincidence that his most outstanding performances have been in the Champions League, where he's the player who has created the most chances (16). His excellent match against Real Madrid, where he led in both chances created and recoveries in the final third, underscores the importance he will have for Liverpool's pressing game.
Although it is undeniable that his adaptation to the Premier League has been slower than expected, the idea that Florian wirtz Saying he won't succeed at Anfield seems premature. Talents like him don't fail easily. Experts who have followed his career, such as Xabi Alonso and Jurgen Klopp, who described him as a "generational talent," are confident it's only "a matter of time" before he proves his worth. Dimitar Berbatov declared: "He'll be incredible, trust me [...] I guarantee he's going to be a success."
English
Spanish