Florian Wirtz: The Missing Link in Liverpool’s Next-Gen Attack

Not Just Stylish but Essential: Why Wirtz Is the Right Player, Right Time

The Next Maestro of Anfield

March 13, 2022. Leverkusen vs. Cologne. On paper, just another Bundesliga fixture. For Florian Wirtz, it was the day everything changed. A sudden fall, clutching his knee, and the BayArena fell silent. No one needed a replay to understand it was serious. Soon after, the diagnosis was made: a torn ACL in his left leg. A devastating injury would sideline Germany’s top prospect and push him into the most difficult chapter of his career.

Florian Wirtz became the youngest player to reach 50 Bundesliga appearances in December 2021 (Youssoufa Moukoko surpassed this record in 2023). Just a few months later, the season ended for him tragically against his youth club, with an injury that sidelined him for nine months and forced him to miss the World Cup. His comeback, however, marked the start of a whole new chapter, this time under the guidance of a manager who would help him reach his best version: Xabi Alonso. That return marked a shift, from a rising talent to a player ready to shape games at the highest level.

Following months of rehabilitation away from the pitch, he returned in the second half of the 2022–23 season, he was involved in 17 matches, playing 1096 minutes and contributing 1 goal and 6 assists, a promising sign of what was to come. Then came the real breakout. The following season, Wirtz exploded with 18 goals and 19 assists across all competitions, becoming a key figure in Leverkusen’s undefeated title-winning campaign. A team that ended Bayern Munich’s long-standing Bundesliga dominance and evolved into a tactically disciplined, high-performing “Mannschaft,” highly praised for their fantastic football and style under Xabi Alonso’s vision.

Figure 1: Florian Wirtz last five seasons goal contributions

The rest of the story is well known. Now, let’s take a deeper look at Wirtz, the qualities that make him stand out, and the reasons behind Liverpool’s massive investment in one of football’s most well-rounded young midfielders. One simple example from the figure above: in the last five seasons, Wirtz contributed to 119 goals whilst his expected values are just 79.1, with a crazy +39.9. He is just 21, and he has managed to accumulate 8 more goals + assists than the expectations every season. It's very hard to find a consistent figure like this at this very young age.

Let’s start with the financials. While the transfer hasn’t been officially confirmed, Liverpool are believed to be finalising the final details, with Wirtz reportedly favouring a move to Anfield over other top clubs. The Reds have already submitted multiple bids, the latest of which is believed to be around £109 million (€130 million), including add-ons. Negotiations remain ongoing, with talks centred on payment structures such as upfront fees, instalments, and performance-related bonuses. If completed, the deal would make Wirtz the most expensive signing in Liverpool’s history.

Figure 2: Liverpool’s Top 10 Most Expensive Transfers

The Creative Threat Every Elite Club Wants

Florian Wirtz brings a rare blend of technical brilliance and tactical versatility. Whether he's playing on the left or in the middle, centrally behind the striker, his influence on the game remains consistent. He’s not just a talented player, he’s also a solid helper in possession and a capable finisher. That all-around profile makes him a dream target for Europe’s elite. Earlier this season, in our Dead Ball Analytics piece, we specifically highlighted Florian Wirtz as one of the top candidates when searching for Mohamed Salah’s stylistic doppelgängers. If you missed that article, we highly recommend checking it. 🔗 Read the full article here.

Wirtz ranks 3rd in total Goal-Creating Actions (26) across Europe’s top five leagues, just behind Lamine Yamal (29) and Mohamed Salah (27), and ahead of names like Raphinha, Michael Olise, and Omar Marmoush. His direct contributions to goals place him among the most valuable attacking threats of the season. Per 90, his influence becomes even clearer. Wirtz averages 0.99 Goal-Creating Actions per 90, ranking third this time, behind Bukayo Saka (1.20) and Desire Doue (1.25). Figure below extends these GCA numbers to the last two seasons, along with Through Balls, Touches in Attacking 3rd and SoT. Wirtz is still topping (with Olise, Doue and Saka) the list for these stats, which is another sign of his consistency.

Figure 3: Top five leagues best creative offensive players

While both Doue and Saka offer explosive athleticism, with Saka, in particular, thriving as a constant threat in Arsenal’s high-tempo Premier League system, Wirtz brings a special brilliance. He’s not the fastest on the pitch, but he reads it faster than most. His technical abilities allow him to exploit the third area and break the lines like few others. Additionally, he has an instinctive understanding of the movement around him. That's what makes him a unique creator; he's not only competent, but elegant and unpredictable in the final third as well.

The Progressive Receiver: Florian Wirtz and the Art of Timing

Wirtz’s ability to receive progressive passes isn’t just about positioning, it’s about anticipation, timing, and connectivity. With over 300 progressive pass receptions in the 2024-25 Bundesliga season, Wirtz often finds space between the lines and forces defenders to take a risk. Wirtz doesn’t simply receive the ball, he positions himself as the next logical step in the team’s attacking progression.

At Liverpool, this could be transformative. In a system built on transitional superiority, Wirtz would offer a smoother, more direct connection between midfield and attack. In a system that thrives on verticality and quick transitions, Wirtz would offer a smoother, more planned link between the lines. Imagine him drifting into the left half-space while Szoboszlai or Mac Allister trigger movement on the opposite flank, or feeding Milos Kerkez with smart passes as he overlaps down the left.

On the other side, he could easily recreate the same dynamic with Frimpong, his former teammate who knows his game inside out. There will be matches where he and Salah could even rotate positions, switching between wide and central roles depending on the flow of the game. With Arne Slot expected to experiment with multiple shapes during pre-season, Wirtz’s flexibility might just be one of Liverpool’s biggest tactical weapons next season.

Figure 4: Top five leagues most (Progressive) Passes Receivers per 90

Silk in Tight Spaces

Wirtz completed 82 successful take-ons this season in the Bundesliga. While he’s not primarily a "take-on-for-the-sake-of-it" dribbler, this metric still places him among some of the most influential attackers in Europe. His style is less about raw pace or flashy tricks, more about zone control, timing, and quick decision-making, the kind of skills that consistently break lines rather than relying on 1vs1 duels.

The ability to escape tight pressure with silky touches and smart positioning would add a new dimension to Liverpool's transitions. Wirtz isn’t your typical wide dribbler. He functions more like a midfield magician, unlocking tight spaces with precise movements. His vision and game intelligence are exceptional, especially when delivering through balls. At Liverpool, Wirtz’s vision and timing would be invaluable, whether it’s spotting Salah’s inside runs or releasing explosive full-backs into space. He offers the kind of intelligence needed to break down deep defensive formations.

In short, Wirtz might not be the fastest player on the pitch. However, his timing, pitch awareness, and technical quality make him a perfect fit for Liverpool’s dynamic style, a player who wouldn’t just fit in, but would elevate the team’s attacking rhythm in decisive ways.

Figure 5: Top five leagues most influental attacking players

More Than a Playmaker

Offering a long-term solution, Wirtz can perform effectively across various systems without disturbing tactical balance. His versatility and ability to adapt make him an invaluable asset for Liverpool’s future. Whether it’s feeding Salah out wide, timing a cutback for Gakpo, or linking up with a future No.9 signing, Wirtz brings what Liverpool has often lacked post-Coutinho: final-third intelligence paired with clinical finishing. On top of that, his exceptional vision allows him to anticipate opponents' moves, creating opportunities others might miss in high-pressure situations.

Wirtz’s composure under pressure allows him to retain possession and control the tempo, even against the most disciplined defenders. This will be especially vital in tight Champions League matches, where opening compact defenses often means the difference between progressing and going home. Beyond his on-ball contributions, Wirtz’s off-ball movement and work rate fit perfectly with Slot’s game philosophy, adding another layer of intensity to Liverpool’s play. His tactical flexibility will evolve him into a more mature and well-rounded player under Slot's guidance.

Figure 6: Weekly Cumulative A − xAG of the Big 5’s Top Creators

Final Thoughts: Wirtz’s Tactical Impact and Liverpool’s Potential Lineup

Florian Wirtz has the potential to be the creative core of Arne Slot's dynamic, quick-transition system at Liverpool. He could perform well in a No. 10 role, drift into the left half-space to connect with Mac Allister, or interchange positions with Salah to add unpredictability in the final third. Or he could have more freedom and engage in a free-roaming role to exploit spaces and create scoring opportunities. His elite 0.99 Goal-Creating Actions per 90 and over 300 progressive passes received in the 2024-25 season will add fluidity and dynamism to Liverpool’s transition, making him a key weapon against low-block defences in both domestic and European competitions.

In a potential 4-2-3-1 setup, the starting XI might look like this: Alisson (GK), Frimpong, Van Dijk, Konate (Transfer), Robertson(Kerkez), Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szobaslai, Salah, Wirtz, and potential no:9 (if signed), offering a balanced and potential attacking threat. However, with a possible signing technically elite and a ball-playing centre back, Liverpool could shift to a 3-4-3 or 3-2-2-2-1 formation, allowing Wirtz to operate as a central playmaker while Frimpong and Robertson (Kerkez) provide width as wing-backs, creating a more defensively solid yet tactically versatile setup.

This flexibility could see Liverpool adapt to various opponents, potentially dominating possession against weaker sides or exploiting counter-attacks in high-stakes matches. Wirtz finding spaces between the lines, Salah running and finding the best options like he does best, and a potential new No.9 ready to finish off the chances. On paper, this team looks like a serious problem for any opponent. With Wirtz, Liverpool in the 2025-26 season could not only challenge for the Premier League and Champions League titles but also lay the foundation for a sustained era of success, combining tactical genius with his exceptional creativity.

Figure 7: Liverpool Possible Starting XI Next Season

That wraps up our Florian Wirtz deep dive. We hope you enjoyed exploring what makes him such a fascinating fit for Liverpool. Next one, by popular request, we’ll be sharing our Data-Driven Team of the Season so keep an eye out!

As always, if you have any questions, feedback, or ideas you’d like us to explore, feel free to reach out. We’re always just a message away. Also, we’ve got a few surprises lined up in our upcoming content plan, the kind we believe you’ll really enjoy. Stay tuned.