How Florian Wirtz would fit in at Liverpool: position, style & role

Liverpool supposedly want to sign Florian Wirtz this summer. Here's how the German youngster could fit in at Anfield.

Liverpool will appoint a new manager this summer and top of their list Xabi Alonso, say reports. It's one that makes sense - the former Red is working wonders at Bayer Leverkusen right now.

Naturally, then, Liverpool will also be linked with Leverkusen players. Top of the pile is Florian Wirtz, the incredible 20-year-old who is arguably the standout player for the German side.

Liverpool have been strongly linked in the past, and there are fresh reports of a recent scouting mission.

But how would Wirtz fit in at Liverpool? Here's how we see the possibility.

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Florian Wirtz: Player Profile

First off, just what kind of player is Wirtz? He's only 20 but has been playing at the top level for years now, having debuted for Leverkusen at 17. He registered five goals and six assists the season he turned 18, and then another seven goals and 10 assists the year after that.

Even as a teenager, Wirtz was established as one of the best creative players in Europe. The only thing that stopped him was a bad injury that limited his appearances in 2022/23.

But Wirtz is back to his best this season. No Bundesliga player has made more goal-creating actions than the youngster, while he averages the most per 90, too (of players with at least 900 minutes).

His raw numbers are five goals and eight assists - a wonderful return.

Primarily, Wirtz plays as a no.10 - or one of two no.10s - in Alonso's 3-4-3 formation. He's also capable of operating in a deeper midfield role as part of a three, while he's also had spells as a False 9.

On the ball, Wirtz likes to move it quickly. He averages more passes per 90 than any attacking midfielder or winger in Europe's top 5 leagues. He's also up there for progressive passes - an improving at it. Wirtz has already played more progressive passes this season than he has in any previous season, and that's with 13 games to play.

Whatever position he plays, then, you're getting a player who wants to bring others into play and consistently move the ball forwards.

Florian Wirtz at Liverpool under Alonso

Of course, how Wirtz fits in at Liverpool depends on whether Alonso joins as manager. In fact, it'll depend on whoever joins as manager - they'll have their own ideas and system.

But it's easier to see how he'd play under Alonso at Liverpool. Wirtz's starring role comes as one of two players behind a no.9 and the options are there for a similar system at Anfield.

Darwin Nunez or Diogo Jota could lead the line - maybe even Cody Gakpo - with Wirtz slotting in behind that striker. Mohamed Salah, Harvey Elliott, Dominik Szoboszlai, Luis Diaz or Gakpo could play alongside him.

Though, as is immediately clear, Liverpool have a lot of attacking players for so few roles. Wirtz could compete with anyone for that spot but it's easy to imagine there would need to be an exit or two to make space.

There's also another option - Wirtz as a False 9 instead of a leading striker. He's arguably better at that role than anyone else at Liverpool and if Alonso wanted the versatility, his current star would bring it.

Florian Wirtz in Liverpool's 4-3-3

There's a very, very solid argument that anyone who joins Liverpool as manager should keep to the 4-3-3. It's what this current squad is built for and it's a very successful system.

Fortunately, there's no reason Wirtz couldn't play in it. There's no no.10 spot but he could comfortably operate as a False 9, much as Roberto Firmino did at his peak.

Wirtz also has experience in a midfield three as more of a no.8. The problem there, much like with attacking midfielders, Liverpool have the likes of Szoboszolai, Elliott, Jones and Alexis Mac Allister who can all play there. All are very young, too, which means there's no need for a long-term replacement.

Ultimately, though, Wirtz is an outstanding player and could arguably be expected to outperform all current options before long. He's one of the game's best 20-year-olds, after all.

So in that sense, signing Wirtz is smart in that it likely improves Liverpool. It's just debatable how much that would be versus the cost.