Didi Hamann reacts to Florian Wirtz transfer news at Liverpool, sends message to fans
Liverpool’s move to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz looks to be a case of when, rather than if, at Anfield this summer.
The clubs are locked in negotiations, with a positive outcome hoped to arrive in the coming days, as the window opens on Sunday (1 July).
Wirtz has reportedly already given his word to Liverpool, leading to both Manchester City and Bayern Munich dropping out of the race for the 22-year-old.
Liverpool fans will ‘fall in love’ with Wirtz
Over the last two seasons, Wirtz’s stock has risen exponentially, and he is now recognised among Europe’s most exciting young players.
His rise is made even more impressive when considering the almost 10 months of action he missed in 2022 after suffering a tear to his cruciate ligament.
As Leverkusen soared, unbeaten, to their first-ever Bundesliga title in the 2023/24 season, Wirtz was key, scoring 11 goals and providing 12 assists.
Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann thinks it will be a similar story for the German in England.
“It won’t be long before the Liverpool fans fall in love with Florian Wirtz,” the 51-year-old told Sky Germany.
“I can’t wait for him to wear the red jersey for the first time. He’ll be a fan favourite and can and will achieve great things at Liverpool.”
Hamann knows a thing or two about having a successful time in Merseyside.
The ex-pro, who also played for Manchester City and Bayern Munich, left Liverpool in 2006 having won the Champions League, as well as four domestic cups.
Hamann never managed to win the Premier League, however, a facet Reds fans will hope Wirtz does not replicate in his own Liverpool career under Arne Slot.
Wirtz can give Liverpool another dimension
Dominik Szoboszlai can likely be categorised as Liverpool’s most front-footed player in the middle of the pitch.
But the Hungarian is better described as a box-to-box all-rounder, rather than a purely attacking midfielder.
Should Wirtz arrive, he will bring a unique skillset to Slot’s system.
Of course, that is not to say the German will forgo his defensive responsibilities, but that the vast majority of his time on the pitch should, and will, be spent in the opposition’s final third.
The departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold has left a creative hole in the Liverpool team, and Wirtz is more than capable of filling it.
With the devastating pace of wingers Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz on either side of him, and the potential of a new striker in front of him, the 22-year-old will have free rein to provide, or attack himself, many an overwhelmed Premier League defence.