Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge thinks new signing Florian Wirtz is a “special talent” and the German’s “flexibility” will be a huge asset to Arne Slot’s side.
The attacking midfielder’s potential £116m move to Merseyside was agreed on Friday and Aldridge believes it is a step in the right direction for the club.
“We’ve known for some time what a prospect he is. And he’s shown he’s well adept in the Bundesliga and he’s got massive potential to do the same in the Premier League. It’s a bit tougher but he’s a special talent,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“He’s a bit flamboyant and can get himself out of tricky situations but he’s very game as well and he doesn’t shy away from any tackles. He’s very creative and he’s got an eye for a goal, which are all the trademarks of exactly what we [Liverpool] need to make us a better team.
“It gives the manager options because he is very flexible. He can play in a few positions and he can actually play as a centre-forward, like a Roberto Firmino type. He could play there at a push but I don’t think we’ve actually bought him for that – the flexibility he will give us in midfield will be excellent.”
The 22-year-old helped Bayer Leverkusen secure the Bundesliga title in 2024 and go a full domestic season unbeaten.
Liverpool themselves won a record-equalling 20th top-flight title last season, and Aldridge believes the addition of Wirtz is one with a view to maintaining success.
“I wouldn’t see him as Mo Salah’s replacement. I just think it’s to make us better for next year and go on to retain the title because it’s always hard,” Aldridge said.
“You’ve got to give Manchester City credit for doing it in the last few years. To be fair to Arne [Slot] he’s won it with another man’s tools, with Jurgen’s tools. It was just [Federico] Chiesa who came in and he didn’t play an awful lot so the manager can go out now and get the type of players that fit the bill.
“You want to get off to a good start don’t you? Even if he doesn’t, it will certainly happen for a player of his ilk. The crowd will love him and once he starts creating and scoring goals like Salah, he won’t believe how adored he will be.”
