“Florian Wirtz destroyed Liverpool's midfield!” » Arsene Wenger, harsh analysis of the transfer of 125 million euros
Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published Wednesday, 05 November 2025 22:39 / Updated Wednesday, 05 November 2025 22:51
Florian Wirtz (22 years old) was the protagonist of one of the most spectacular transfers of the summer. “Cormorants” from Liverpool they acquired him from the Bundesliga, from Bayer Leverkusenin exchange for the sum of 125 million euros. However, the German has only three assists and no goals scored in 15 official matches.
Before the match with Real Madrid, Arsene Wenger (76 years old) analyzed the situation at Liverpool and did not spare anyone:
Arsene Wenger disputes the decision of the “cormorants”: “Liverpool destroyed the balance to please Wirtz”
“Liverpool is an interesting example. When Wirtz had to choose between Bayern and Liverpool, he told those at Anfield: 'I'm only coming if I'm playing number 10, not in the wing.'
To convince him, Liverpool accepted. But they destroyed the midfield, which consisted of Gravenberch, Mac Allister and Szoboszlai. To include Wirtz, they took Szoboszlai out of the midfield.”
The Frenchman added:
“What have they done with Aston Villa? They went back to last year's formula and the results were immediate. And tonight, against Real Madrid, Wirtz will play, but certainly in the lane.
Slot told him clearly: “If you want to play, you will do it in the lane, not in the center.”, according to beIN SPORTS.
Florian Wirtz, a record transfer
Liverpool paid a record €125 million to sign Wirtz, beating off competition from Bayern Munich. In Germany, the midfielder had been the “engine” of Xabi Alonso's historic Bundesliga champion and cup-winning team, with 57 goals and 65 assists in 197 games for Leverkusen.
At Anfield, however, the magic faded: in the first 15 games, no goals and just three assists, while the team suffered six defeats in seven games, before recovering in the last two encounters, with Aston Villa (2-0) and Real Madrid (1-0).
Xabi Alonso: “Wirtz is special. He just needs time”
However, not everyone criticized the German midfielder. His former coach from Leverkusen, Xabi Alonso (43 years old), publicly defended him:
“I have no doubt, it's just a matter of time. It's a big challenge for him to adapt in England after so many years in Germany. But he's a special and competitive player.
Part of my coaching career is due to Flo. I'm sure he'll show what he can do, maybe not against me, but very soon.”
Listed at €130m on specialist website Transfermarkt, Florian Wirtz played for SV Grun-Weib Brauweiler, FC Koln and Bayer Leverkusen before making the move to the Premier League at Liverpool.
For the national team of Germany, the “cormorants” player managed to score 8 times and provide 7 decisive assists in 35 official matches.
