Micah Richards hits back at Florian Wirtz to Liverpool transfer critics
Liverpool are set to complete the biggest transfer in their history in the coming days as Florian Wirtz moves closer to Anfield.
The attacking midfielder has been sensational at Bayer Leverkusen and was key to the German club winning the Bundesliga title unbeaten last season.
Speculation about where the 22-year-old would go has lasted weeks, with Wirtz previously linked with Bayern Munich.
Now, Wirtz is set to move to Liverpool, with a transfer fee agreed between the two clubs.
Micah Richards insists that Wirtz is value for money
While there is no doubt that the German international is a fantastic player, there have been questions surrounding the £126million price Liverpool are set to pay for Wirtz.
The Reds are set to smash their transfer record for the attacking midfielder despite him only being early into his career.
However, Micah Richards has hit back at the critics, as he claims that Wirtz is “worth every single penny” of his impending transfer.
| Florian Wirtz’s Bayer Leverkusen career | |
| Appearances | 197 |
| Goals | 57 |
| Assists | 65 |
| Honours | Bundesliga x1, German Cup x1, German Super Cup x1 |
“Yeah, he’s worth it. Obviously, he’s got to do it in a league which is more physical. That is my only doubt. Tactically, he’s got it, technically, he’s got it,” Richards said on The Rest is Football podcast (6 June).
“The way he manipulates the ball, he was a superstar from a young age, so he can deal with pressure. It’s just, where does he fit into the system? Is he going to play him in [Dominik] Szoboszlai’s role, or is he going to play him out on the left-hand side? Because he can do both. And honestly, for £120 million, he’s worth every single penny.”
Wirtz has to get off to a quick start at Liverpool
Upon the transfer being completed, Wirtz will have massive expectations at Anfield.
The German has only ever played in his native country, which could pose a challenge for the attacking midfielder.
If the 22-year-old has a slow start, the playmaker and Arne Slot are likely to be ridiculed in the media for how much he cost the Reds.
Therefore, a quick start is needed if he is to relieve any pressure on him.
With his competitive introduction likely to come in the Community Shield, a good performance here alongside winning the trophy could do wonders for Wirtz.
Hopefully, the 22-year-old meets expectations in the 2025/26 campaign, and he does not become a very expensive flop, like so many have before.
Darwin Nunez has struggled since his big-money move from Benfica, but having bigger-game experience in Germany will hopefully help Wirtz kick past the expectations of those before him.