Florian Wirtz 'doubts' shared as Liverpool given reason to rethink $171M transfer

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Micah Richards and Alan Shearer have both expressed their doubts about whether Florian Wirtz can handle the physical demands of the Premier League, as Liverpool continues to pursue his signature.

The German prodigy is being targeted for a move from Bayer Leverkusen to Anfield this month, with Phillip Lahm offering his opinion of the transfer. The 22-year-old playmaker has emerged as the next big target for Arne Slot's league title-winning Reds, who have already snapped up wing-back Jeremie Frimpong from the Bundesliga side.

One of Leverkusen's former chiefs has even claimed he "knows" how the transfer talks are proceeding. The only thing currently holding up Wirtz's transfer is the fee.

So far, the German club has rejected each of Liverpool's bids, as Leverkusen holds out for a British record transfer fee of around $171 million.

However, if Wirtz does eventually move to England, pundits and former professionals Richards and Shearer agree that he may struggle with the increased physicality of the top flight despite praising him as a special technical talent.

Richards and Shearer had quite the natter on Wirtz's potential on The Rest Is Football podcast, aligning on their concerns over his slight build.

(Image: Getty Images)

In a lively exchange on the poddy, Shearer poked at co-host Richards, wondering aloud: "Is he that good Micah?"

Without missing a beat, Richards answered, full of praise: "He's exceptional."

But Richards noted the need for Wirtz to adjust to a more bruising league. The Manchester City legend added: "Obviously, he's got to do it in a league which is more physical. That is my only doubt. It's my only doubt. Tactically, he's got it. Technically, he's got it.

"The way he manipulates the ball... he was a superstar from a young age, so he can deal with pressure. It's just, where does he fit into the system?

"Is he gonna play in Dominik Szoboszlai's role? Or is he gonna play him out on the left-hand side, because he can do both, and honestly, for £120 million he's worth every single penny."

Jumping in, Shearer shared his own observations and optimism, having watched Wirtz strut his stuff in the Champions League: "I've seen him quite a bit this season in the Champions League, and there's no doubt he's a really, really talented player.

"It's a hell of a lot of money, but I think he'll be a success. I would say the same in terms of the physical side of things.

"With technical ability and all of that, he's a very, very good player."

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