Liverpool target Florian Wirtz is drawing comparisons to former Reds man Philippe Coutinho. But he also shares a key character trait with James Milner that could make him ideal for Jürgen Klopp.
Jürgen Klopp has made plenty of transfers from the Bundesliga during his time at Liverpool, but he has never signed a German. That could be about to change as links with Karim Adeyemi and Florian Wirtz continue to resurface.
And the latter could be an ideal option to fill Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho void.
Like Coutinho, Wirtz plays as a traditional number 10, and is capable of playing on the flanks. And just like Coutinho, his technical ability and flair is one of his best assets.
Wirtz’s former coach, Markus Daun, waxed lyrical about his proteges’ technique to First Time Finish.
“He has an incredibly clean technique,” Daun said.
“Everything he does is tooth and nail. He controls the ball perfectly without having to watch the ball. In addition, he can process the game quicker and evaluate situations on the go. He can anticipate the next two or three steps before they even happen.”
Wirtz technical prowess is eerily similar to Coutinho. His diminutive stature and lithe frame is reminiscent of Liverpool’s former Brazilian maestro as he waltzes through opponents on the pitch.
But, what will be even more enticing for Jürgen Klopp is Wirtz’s athletic ability. The 18-year-old comes from an athletic family. His father played football in the lower league of German football. Meanwhile, his sister, Juliane Wirtz, is currently plying her trade with Bayer Leverkusen’s women’s team.
From a young age, his family instilled a professional attitude and Wirtz has maintained their teaching even in training sessions.
“He has incredibly good athletic ability, extreme endurance and good fitness. I think that’s the basis of his ability and one of his strengths. One he performs week in week out,” his former coach, Daun said.
“This was the case at a younger age. In terms of his athleticism, he was already a professional even back then. He always wanted to continue training. Even when I said the workout was over, he still wanted to continue. You could not stop him.”
That description is similar to James Milner in the work-horse mentality he exudes and his perpetual desire to win every biannual pre-season lactate test at Liverpool.
Combining the two Liverpool cult heroes, you get a player tailor-made for Klopp’s gegenpress.
Leverkusen will try to keep hold off their star asset for as long as possible. But if Wirtz continues to produce the numbers he has achieved so far this season, he will not stay with Die Werkself for long, though his purported €100m price tag could serve as a deterrent.
Liverpool have been tracking the player since before his Leverkusen days. With Leverkusen’s youth coach, Patrick Helmes claiming Liverpool made an offer for Wirtz in 2019 before he joined the club via Sport 1.
The same claims have been made about Wirtz’s compatriot, Karim Adeyemi and it looks like the club have a clear strategy.
Perhaps, January or next summer could see Klopp’s first German recruit. Only time will tell.
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