Liverpool are About to Sign a ‘Generational Talent’ as Arne Slot ‘Attacks the Window’ | OneFootball

Florian Wirtz to Liverpool? Dave Hendrick Believes It’s Transformational

The Anfield Index podcast, hosted by Dave Hendrick, delivered what he described as an “emergency broadcast” following dramatic developments in Liverpool’s pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz. In a 20-minute episode full of breaking news and fervent analysis, Hendrick was unequivocal in his excitement, labelling the potential signing as nothing short of “earthshaking.”

Florian Wirtz: A Generational Talent

According to Hendrick, “we are on the brink of signing a generational talent, where we’re on the brink of signing a transformative player.” The urgency in his tone echoed throughout the podcast. He compared the potential impact of Wirtz to signings like Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker, remarking, “Florian Wirtz would be a transformational signing for this club.”

Wirtz, who turned 22 on 3rd May, starred for Bayer Leverkusen during their historic unbeaten Bundesliga-winning season. Hendrick was effusive in his praise, stating, “He was the best player in a Leverkusen team that went undefeated and won the Bundesliga.” He also cited Wirtz’s accolades including Bundesliga Player of the Season, his 29 caps for Germany, and his role in Germany’s Under-21 European Championship-winning squad.

Liverpool Moving Aggressively in the Market

“This is us being incredibly proactive, incredibly aggressive,” Hendrick said. “We’ve won the title this season, and we’re attacking this window.” He noted that deals for Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Giorgi Mamardashvili are either done or near completion, adding, “We might get to June 1st when the transfer window opens and have four signings done.”

The podcast highlighted the reported visit of Wirtz to the UK, previously assumed to be for Manchester City. “He never met with Manchester City. He met with Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes and then was brought house hunting,” Hendrick disclosed. He emphasised Liverpool’s role in the visit, noting, “Liverpool flew him over. They didn’t fly him over so he could go and visit Man City.”

Photo: IMAGO

Why Wirtz Fits Liverpool’s New Era

Wirtz isn’t just about flair. Hendrick pointed to his numbers: “49 games with 18 goals last season, 45 with 16 this season… and he’s not primarily a goal scorer, he’s primarily a creator.” The combination of 16 goals and 15 assists this past season is, as Hendrick described, “immense production.”

The podcast painted a tactical picture too. Hendrick suggested a partnership with Milos Kerkez on Liverpool’s left: “That pairing could be absolutely outrageous,” he said. He believes Wirtz would slot into a narrow left-sided role, mirroring his expected position at Bayern Munich had he joined them.

Hendrick continued, “There are very few players in the world as good as Florian Wirtz. Whether it’s £120 million or maybe a little bit less that we have to pay, he is going to prove worth it.”

What This Means for Liverpool and the Premier League

“This is the type of signing that sets us up to be very good in the post-Mo Salah era,” Hendrick remarked, hinting at Wirtz as a potential focal point of Liverpool’s attack in the future. He even suggested Wirtz might allow Salah to “play a little bit freer” and “score more goals because he’s getting fed the ball by the type of creator Mo hasn’t played with since Phil Coutinho left.”

He concluded with optimism, “Nobody else in the Premier League this summer is signing a better player than Florian Wirtz. Nobody.”

As it stands, the deal is not yet official. Hendrick cautioned, “We need to proceed with caution because the deal’s not done. The fee is not agreed.” However, he also added, “I feel like this one gets done.”

Final Thoughts

Liverpool fans are no strangers to transfer sagas, but this one feels different. Dave Hendrick’s analysis is grounded in facts, bolstered by insider details, and fuelled by the promise of what Florian Wirtz could bring to Anfield under Premier League-winning manager Arne Slot. Should the move materialise, the signing of Florian Wirtz will not only signify intent but could usher in a new golden era for Liverpool Football Club.