What Jurgen Klopp and Xabi Alonso said about Florian Wirtz speaks volumes after £116m Liverpool transfer

What Jurgen Klopp and Xabi Alonso said about Florian Wirtz speaks volumes after £116m Liverpool transfer

Florian Wirtz's move to Liverpool has got the whole of European football talking - including some big-name alumni at Anfield

Florian Wirtz is unveiled as a Liverpool player after his signing at AXA Training Centre on June 20, 2025 in Kirkby, England (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images )

Liverpool's £116m move for Florian Wirtz is the sort of transfer that has made the rest of European football sit up and take note. The Reds fended off competition from Manchester City and Bayern Munich before striking a club-record agreement with Bayer Leverkusen to land the Germany international.

As as one of the most coveted players on the continent, the Reds feel they have an elite operator in the 22-year-old and his arrival is being viewed internally in the same bracket of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker, whose respective arrivals in 2018 turbocharged the pursuit of major honours under Jurgen Klopp.

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Klopp is one of several big names across the continent to have had their say on the move for Wirtz, with the ex-Liverpool boss delighted to have seen his former employers land the most vaunted young players in his homeland.

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But he's not the only one to have given his verdict in recent days. Here's what the great and the good of the game have been saying about Wirtz's groundbreaking move to Merseyside.

Klopp said: "This is going to be absolutely fantastic. I'm sure of it. It's very hard to strengthen a team when you're champions. But Liverpool have managed it. They've signed an exceptional talent in Florian Wirtz. I'm looking forward to seeing it. It's going to be great."

Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool legend, said: "A big talent, he has done fantastically for Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen. There is talk he’s going to be a really big signing. Big talent, huge future in front of him. Liverpool is the place for him."

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Xabi Alonso, the former Liverpool favourite who managed Wirtz at Leverkusen, said : "Flo is one of the top players in the world. He is world class. Flo has a very mature mind. The people around him, his parents, they want the best for him. They (Wirtz and family) are in a very important moment of his career. Whatever he does, I am really close to Flo and I will be happy for him.

"There are good players and there are players who look good on the pitch. The player who looks good does things that are nice, but not necessarily efficient. Why is (Lionel) Messi so good? Because he knows how and when to play simple passes. Messi says: ‘You’re in a better position? Here, there you have the ball!’

"It’s not always about making the most brilliant move, but the best and smartest. Florian can do that. That’s why he’s so good."

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Jeremie Frimpong, who has also made the move from Leverkusen to Liverpool this summer, said: "On a day-to-day basis, he’s exactly how you see him on the pitch. He is impressive. He plays like he’s been playing for 10 years. He’s intelligent.

"He’s also a great person. He was the first one who took care of me when I arrived at (Leverkusen): he was my first friend. Flo asked me about Celtic, invited me to his house, we would go out for dinner. He did things to make me feel at home."

Simon Rolfes, Leverkusen sporting director, said: "Florian joined us as a 16-year-old and has built up close and warm relationships with many people at the club over the years.

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"With his attitude, his passion and his unconditional will to win, he not only motivated and inspired his team-mates on the pitch, but also the people in the immediate vicinity of the team and throughout the club.

"Florian never played just for himself, everything was secondary to the success of the team. I would like to sincerely thank him for this on behalf of everyone. Florian Wirtz will always remain a part of Bayer 04."

Karl-Heinz Riedle, former Liverpool striker, said: "Liverpool were cool even in my time. Jurgen Klopp has made something completely new out of the club. Liverpool has so much quality in attack, it's a gift for every ten to be able to play in this team.

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"Florian Wirtz has outstanding playing potential, and in addition there is his tackling strength, which will help him in England.

"Florian is now taking a big step in his career. He will be very well received by the fans with his style of play. He's an extraordinary player. Florian is a talent of the century like we've never had before."

Julian Nagelsmann, Germany national boss, said: "I've never told a player to move here or there. What's important is that he plays - and plays a similarly important role to the one he played in Leverkusen. We know that he's one of the best players in the world."

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Hansi Flick, former Germany boss, said: "Florian is just a huge asset with his care-free nature. He's simply an outstanding technician, loves to play, is very creative, has a good shot, runs hard and is quick. He's the full package."

Philipp Lahm, 2014 World Cup winner with Germany, said: “He will bring a lot of class and poise. He is more or less the fully formed article. He has played for Leverkusen and Germany so knows the demands that are on him, but still, he will have to adjust to the pace of the Premier League and the more physical way.

"Opponents will try to negate his influence and that might prove a challenge, but he is young enough and good enough. He is not easily intimidated and stands up strong to the challenge. You are buying a superstar."

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Jonas Hoffman, Germany team-mate, said: "People often use the word 'magic' about him. You can scarcely believe it, but he's so quick with the ball at his feet and so hard to knock off it. He shakes off physically stronger opponents and gets out of tricky situations. He's absolute gold for our attacking play."

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