Liverpool broke the bank to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for £ 116 million, with the 22-year-old already demonstrating that he has the character to thrive at the highest level
Football recruitment often depends on the finances, but understanding the true character of a player is a different ball game. Fortunately, Liverpool fans have already received a look at the temperament of new signing Florian Wirtz.
The MerseSiders have poured an initial £ 100 million for Wirtz, possibly rising to £ 116 million and a new British transfer record. The 22-year-old played a key role last year in the Bundesliga title profit of Bayer Leverkusen under Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso, although this season the German crown returned to Bayern Munich.
And during a Champions League match between the two German Juggernuts that Wirtz revealed a little more about his personality. However, it had nothing to do with his performance on the field.
TV cameras caught his reaction to the couch after he had been replaced while his team lost 3-0 in the Allianz Arena in March. Both Wirtz and Close friend Jeremie Frimpong, who also made the switch to Anfield this summer, were fired with the result of the first legs.
But the reactions of the new couple from Liverpool on the Leverkusenbank were clearly different. While images showed that Frimpong was staring empty, Wirtz did not hide his frustrations after he had withdrawn when he responded to the threatening defeat of his team that eventually led to their exit of Champions League.
With only nine minutes left, the Maestro could not control his frustration and unleash a tirade with his teammate. Wirtz was visibly furious, spit and buried his face in his hands, aware that he, or perhaps his team, had not measured at this crucial moment.
The Liverpool Echo reports how the incident tells about the high standards that Wirtz sets, not only for himself, but also for the people around him. He has previously praised Liverpool as one of the 'top three clubs in the world', which emphasizes his ambition for what could be achieved in the coming years.
In an era in which young football players are often planned because of the lack of grit because of their large wage packages, Wirtz showed that he does not fit that stereotype. And his reaction to removal, even during a heavy loss, underlines his ruthless desire to have an impact on the field at all times.
He will undoubtedly demand excellence under Arne Slot, who already leaves his mark on the team this summer. The fast acquisition of Frimpong soothes the blow of the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold and offers Wirtz a familiar face in the dressing room.
In the meantime, the Reds are approaching a £ 40 million deal for Milos Kerkez van Bournemouth. The Hungarian sensation runs heads with its great displays on the south coast and seems ready to take over from Andy Robertson on Anfield in the long term.
Slot would like to strengthen his defensive line-up, with Marc Guehi also believed to be back in the sights of Liverpool. Jarell Quansah could go to Leverkusen very well and the star defender of Crystal Palace Guehi is tipped to replace it if that is the case.
The Bundesliga has been dominated by a few teams in recent years, but Wirtz could be confronted with stiffer competition in England. This means that he must be at his best to help Liverpool retain first place, especially with Arsenal and Manchester City ready to rise again.
Proponents should not worry about the quality that Wirtz will bring as soon as he starts playing in Merseyside. And it seems that they can also be sure of the determination of the player to excel on every occasion.