Former Germany manager Joachim Low has expressed surprise that Florian Wirtz appears set to join Liverpool this summer, as he had expected the talented midfielder to follow his mentor Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid.
Liverpool are leading the race to sign Wirtz, despite Bayer Leverkusen rejecting an initial offer around £109 million. The Premier League champions are reportedly ready to increase their bid to £126 million to finalize the deal. Wirtz has even been linked with house-hunting in the northwest of England. If completed, Wirtz will join Jeremie Frimpong as the second Leverkusen player to move to Anfield this transfer window.
Low told Bild, “Liverpool is a real statement because moving to the Premier League involves a lot of adaptation, especially to the pace of the game. But Florian Wirtz has no upper limit, he’s definitely ready for the next step. We’ve felt that for a long time.”
Given Wirtz’s strong bond with Alonso at Leverkusen, Low had assumed a move to Real Madrid would be more likely. “He has developed enormously under him and they have a great relationship of trust, which is crucial for a young player,” he said.
Still, Low has no doubts about Wirtz’s potential to succeed at Liverpool or anywhere else. “He plays with a naturalness that can’t be coached. He possesses all the skills a footballer needs to be world-class.”
Bayern Munich, who had been in pole position early on and spoke to Wirtz on their title celebration day, seem to have stepped aside in this fiercely competitive transfer battle.
“It would have been a good fit for Bayern too,” Low added, “but Wirtz and Jamal Musiala’s success with the national team last year showed the kind of impact players like them bring.”
Low recalled first calling Wirtz up to the German national team at just 17 and praised his technical ability, vision, and off-the-ball movement as key factors making him a unique and unpredictable talent.
As Wirtz prepares for the next chapter of his career, Low’s endorsement highlights the exciting prospect Liverpool fans can look forward to at Anfield next season.