Seb Stafford-Bloor: “One of the best players I’ve ever seen live” | OneFootball

Wirtz: A Generational Talent Bound for Anfield

Few players move the needle quite like Florian Wirtz. Discussing the Leverkusen star on Anfield Index, Seb Stafford-Bloor laid out precisely why the 21-year-old represents not just a marquee signing, but possibly Liverpool’s most ambitious move of the modern era.

“I can rarely remember Liverpool actually going out and considering… these sorts of sums of money,” Stafford-Bloor told Hari Sethi. “This feels different.”

Elite Profile, Elite Mentality

Liverpool’s interest in Wirtz isn’t just about potential—it’s about proof. He’s already starred in an unbeaten Bundesliga season and dazzled on both domestic and international stages. But for Stafford-Bloor, it’s what Wirtz represents that marks him out.

“He’s probably among the very best players I’ve seen live,” he said. “Forget sort of the data and his statistical output—just in terms of the players that I’ve got to watch from the stands.”

Wirtz, he explained, doesn’t recycle the ball or pass on responsibility: “He always wants that responsibility. He wants to keep going forward.” It’s a profile Liverpool haven’t had in years—a true number 10 who combines technical flair with tactical graft.

Wirtz’s Role and the Shift in Liverpool’s Shape

Stafford-Bloor believes the German international will be central to Liverpool’s plans, both literally and figuratively. “You want him centrally. And then you just build out from there.”

He dismissed the idea that Wirtz should be shoehorned into another role to accommodate existing players: “There’s no one who should be playing in that role ahead of him.” Even if Wirtz drops deep, he remains central to transitions and playmaking.

Referencing a standout performance against Bayern in 2023, Stafford-Bloor pointed out that “it’s not Wirtz at his best, but it’s a side of his game that was really interesting… playing away from home, deep receiving positions, being productive on the counter.”

No Ego, Just Output

Off the pitch, Wirtz offers a refreshing contrast to the superstar stereotype. “He’s actually quite a shy, private person,” Stafford-Bloor noted. Despite the spotlight, there’s humility and discipline. “He grew up in a house without PlayStation… the Vitz family didn’t have a TV.”

Even with significant commercial interest, Wirtz keeps a low profile: “He’s not a partier. He’s not a guy that will ever end up on the front pages of a newspaper.”

This maturity may well explain his decision to turn down Bayern Munich—a choice widely debated in Germany. “Bayern have been accused of some complacency,” Stafford-Bloor explained, adding that Wirtz was “incredibly impressed by Liverpool’s facilities.”

Why Wirtz Chose Liverpool

The deal marks not just a statement of intent from Liverpool, but a considered, developmental decision by the player. “Instead of an adviser who’s just there to go, ‘right, where’s the kind of attention?’ All of these factors are in play,” Stafford-Bloor emphasised.

Wirtz has already completed German football. “He’s won the Bundesliga, he’s won the DFB-Pokal. You’ve done both of those things unbeaten,” he pointed out. The next logical step? Anfield.

“It’s brave and bold,” Stafford-Bloor said. “And I can’t wait for the rest of the world to see how good a player he is.”