Florian Wirtz makes ‘sad’ transfer claim and tells Liverpool where best to play him

Florian Wirtz Opens Up on Liverpool Struggles, Preferred Role, and Ballon d’Or Dream

Florian Wirtz’s start to life at Liverpool hasn’t gone according to plan. The 22-year-old German midfielder, who arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in a blockbuster £116 million deal this summer, is yet to register a goal or assist in the Premier League. As a result, both his form and Arne Slot’s tactics have come under growing scrutiny.

Liverpool, the reigning Premier League champions, have also stumbled collectively — losing three consecutive matches before the October international break — intensifying the criticism surrounding the team and their new signing.

One major talking point has been Wirtz’s positioning. Slot has primarily deployed him as a No.10, though he has also featured on the left wing at times, including in the recent defeat to Crystal Palace. The football world appears split down the middle: some insist his creativity belongs centrally, while others argue he’s more effective cutting in from the flank. For now, neither the manager nor the player has been vindicated.

However, Wirtz himself has been clear about where he feels most comfortable. Speaking in an exclusive Sky Sports feature, he confirmed his preferred position is behind the striker — the role that allows him to express himself most freely.

During the special interview, Wirtz was shown video messages from key figures in his development, including his former FC Köln youth coaches Martin Heck and Markus Daun. Reflecting on his time under them, Wirtz credited both with helping shape his attacking instincts and confidence.

“He [Heck] was always there for us and gave me the freedom on the pitch,” Wirtz recalled. “He put me behind the striker in the No.10 position and just allowed me to play my own game. Markus was the same — I was even captain under him in the U17s. They both gave me the confidence to be the best version of myself.”

Daun, meanwhile, shared a memorable story from a team meeting that revealed the young Wirtz’s ambition. “I asked the players about their goals,” he said. “Most said things like winning the German championship or getting into the starting eleven. Florian said, ‘I want to win the Ballon d’Or one day.’ Normally, I would tell a player to stay realistic, but with him, I just said, ‘Okay, go your way — you can achieve it.’ I always knew he would reach the top.”

Wirtz laughed as he confirmed the anecdote: “I used to say that every day when I was younger!”

The interview also touched on his high-profile transfer to Liverpool and why he turned down Bayern Munich. Wirtz explained that leaving Leverkusen on good terms was a priority for him.

“I’m really happy that I left Leverkusen in the right way,” he said. “It would have made me sad if it was the opposite. We achieved so much together, and in the end, we were honest and respectful with each other. Everyone was happy about how things turned out, and that’s what matters most to me.”

Now, as Liverpool aim to rediscover their form after a turbulent spell, Wirtz and Slot face the shared challenge of unlocking the talent that made the young German one of Europe’s most coveted midfielders.