Andy Brassell: “Wirtz is Perfect for Slot’s System” | OneFootball

Florian Wirtz: Liverpool’s New Gem from Leverkusen – Expert Insight on the Bundesliga Sensation

The anticipation surrounding Florian Wirtz’s arrival at Liverpool has been nothing short of electric. The 21-year-old completed his switch from Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen to the Premier League title holders earlier this month, with fans already dreaming of what the prodigious playmaker could bring to Anfield.

Having dazzled in Germany for the past five-and-a-half years, Wirtz has arrived with a glowing reputation and a trophy-laden résumé. To provide a deeper look at the Germany international, Liverpoolfc.com tapped into the insight of European football expert Andy Brassell. His perspective offers a compelling view into why Wirtz could be the missing link in Arne Slot’s evolving Reds system.

The Leverkusen Breakthrough

Wirtz’s rise to prominence began with a bold move. In January 2020, Bayer Leverkusen convinced the teenage talent to leave local rivals FC Köln with the promise of immediate first-team football. It didn’t take long for them to deliver on that pledge.

“He made his debut just a couple of months after arriving,” says Brassell. “Leverkusen sold it to him straight – you’re coming to a top German club and you’re going to play.”

That environment, with training ground and stadium in close quarters and minimal distractions, became the perfect developmental hotbed for Wirtz. He immersed himself in football, quickly becoming the heartbeat of a side on the rise.

Wirtz’s Style of Play: Freedom and Flair

Describing Wirtz is like trying to paint a moving picture – there’s creativity, daring and total fluidity. “He’s a brilliant dribbler and just glides past players,” Brassell explains. “Xabi Alonso told me 18 months ago that he trusted Wirtz with more freedom than anyone else.”

That freedom was mirrored on the international stage. Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann adopted the Red Bull-inspired 4-2-2-2 system for Euro 2024, allowing both Wirtz and Jamal Musiala to operate as dual No.10s. The result? A free-flowing attack where Wirtz’s guile and positional intelligence came to the fore.

A Title-Winning Season to Remember

In Leverkusen’s historic unbeaten 2023–24 campaign, Wirtz was a key architect. Returning from a serious ACL injury, he gradually rediscovered his rhythm under Alonso’s watchful eye.

“His hat-trick as a substitute against Werder Bremen – the game that sealed the title – summed up his influence,” says Brassell. “Alonso’s rotation policy kept players fresh, but when Wirtz played, he made the difference.”

With a domestic double secured and a Europa League final appearance under his belt, Wirtz arrives at Liverpool as not just a talent, but a proven winner.

Wirtz’s Fit in Slot’s Liverpool System

So where exactly does Wirtz fit into Arne Slot’s Liverpool blueprint?

Brassell has a theory. “Imagine him as the central player in a front three – with Salah to his right and maybe Diaz or Gakpo left. Wirtz can drop deeper, combine play, and still find goalscoring positions. That could morph into a fluid front two when needed.”

It’s this versatility – dropping into midfield, linking play, or arriving late into the box – that makes him an intriguing option as Slot reshapes Liverpool’s attacking identity.

Frimpong: The Perfect Complement

Wirtz isn’t the only Leverkusen alumni to join Liverpool this summer. Dutch wing-back Jeremie Frimpong, another dynamic talent, has also made the leap.

The pair’s chemistry is well-documented. “They’re close friends and work brilliantly together on the pitch,” Brassell notes. “Frimpong’s forward runs allowed Wirtz to play those killer passes.”

Under Alonso, Frimpong evolved from an energetic full-back into a lethal attacking threat – earning starts in advanced roles for the Netherlands. “He’s become much more clinical and intelligent with his movement. He could even spell Salah on the right wing.”

Conclusion: A Statement of Intent

With Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong in the fold, Liverpool have made a serious statement. These are not just signings for the future – they are players who can make an immediate impact in the Premier League.

Wirtz’s dribbling wizardry, eye for goal, and elite vision make him a natural successor to Liverpool’s creative linchpins of old, while Frimpong’s dynamism adds another gear to their wide play.

Under Arne Slot, expect a more fluid, attack-minded Reds side – and Wirtz could well be the conductor at the centre of it all.