Istanbul hero Vladimir Smicer has urged Liverpool to sign Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz during the summer transfer window
Former Liverpool player Vladimir Smicer is pushing for Liverpool to sign Bayer Leverkusen star midfielder Florian Wirtz during the summer. Wirtz has enjoyed an incredible season for Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso as they remained unbeaten in the Bundesliga throughout the season.
Leverkusen recently suffered a heartache after losing 3-0 to Atalanta in the Europa League final as they failed to dominate. Atalanta ended their unbeaten run in all competition with tactics similar to what they used against Liverpool at Anfield.
Nevertheless, Wirtz has played a pivotal role in Leverkusen’s overall success, playing mostly on the left side of the attack. Alonso deploys a flexible 3-4-2-1 formation in which his fullbacks can invert or exploit the wide areas.
Wirtz plays as the left-attacking midfielder and drops wide as an inside forward whenever Alex Grimaldo drops invert during the attack. Staying at the wide allows the 21-year-old more time to create quality crosses or passes for teammates within the box.
The Germany international has an incredible first touch, agility, pace and dribbling skills capable of beating defenders in one-on-one duels. Wirtz has incredible technique and a creative mindset, using through balls and accurate direct passes to open the opposition’s defence.
The 21-year-old made 48 appearances for Leverkusen in all competitions this season, contributing 18 goals and 20 assists. Alongside incredible productivity as shown in his stats, Wirtz is very hardworking and a perfect fit in a high-pressing system.
Smicer told OLBG (via Liverpool Echo) that Liverpool enjoys a quality playmaker like Wirtz, comparing him with Phillipe Coutinho. He said:
“If I could urge Liverpool to sign anyone this summer it would be Florian Wirtz, who is a player that reminds me of Phillipe Coutinho. Liverpool fans love that type of player, Bobby Firmino was another player who was very popular, so I’d go with Wirtz. “
New Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is inheriting a formidable squad from legendary manager Jurgen Klopp that contains many midfielders. Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Harvey Elliott can play as a number-10 within Slot’s tactical system.
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It goes without saying that Wirtz would be a brilliant signing but he is not a necessity for the Reds. Furthermore, Leverkusen would demand an astronomical figure for one of the top-most assets as they attempt to repeat their success.