A final word from Liverpool defender Andy Robertson on how the club g Florian Wirtz would impact competition for places in the squad:
"When you play for a big club like Liverpool you expect challenges and expect to have competition," he told Sky Sports.
"I have always faced that and so has everyone, so we expect nothing less."
Robertson added: "Wherever we fit into that, then if you are happy with your role then you stay and you do it, if you are not then I am sure there will be some people out the door as well.
"That's the nature of football, but it's one of the biggest clubs in the world and they have to keep moving."
Image source, Getty ImagesWhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
@pmal5098 on X: Big move, but a big risk for the money. Coming from Bundesliga is not always easy to transfer form to the Premier League, hope it goes well and he is a top PL player next season.
More from Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson on the statement g Florian Wirtz would make about the club's ambition:
"He would be another exciting talent through the door - we have already got a lot of exciting talent in there, but he is a right good player and will only help us," the Reds defender told Sky Sports, before it was announced a fee had been agreed with Bayer Leverkusen.
"Just now we are at the top, we obviously won the league and it's important that the club keeps improving and tries to find ways to do that.
"They [Liverpool] have obviously identified certain positions where they want to get new blood in. The players we are being linked with are all younger players and they are all exciting players as well."
Robertson added: "We want the club to be ambitious - they are doing that."
Image source, Getty ImagesWhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Every g is a gamble, but I'm sure the recruitment team at Liverpool have done their analysis and are confident the Wirtz deal is a good one. Unfortunately, teams like Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal and Man Utd have set the bar on transfer fees and Liverpool need to do the same if they are to keep up.
Keith, Leeds
Liverpool and Scotland full-back Andy Robertson has spoken about facing Liverpool's potential new g Florian Wirtz for club and country.
Robertson was part of the Scotland team dismantled by in the opening game of Euro 2024, and also faced Wirtz in the Champions League last season, when the Reds won 4-0 at Anfield.
"He was excellent against us [Scotland], I do that," the Liverpool full-back told Sky Sports on Thursday.
"Obviously that game was extremely tough for us, but he was excellent. He was the one causing us problems - on the half space and running in behind. He can mix it up.
"I haven't seen too much of him, but I have played against him and I think that was enough for me to see he was going to be a top player.
"And then obviously we played Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League as well. I think we dominated that game a bit more and it was a bit more difficult [for him], but in the team against us he was excellent."
Image source, Getty ImagesWhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
What happened to the theory that Liverpool don't spend money? Or is this still the Coutinho money?
Chris, Manchester
Florian Wirtz's move to Liverpool will make him the club's record g - eclipsing the £75m paid for captain Virgil van Dijk in 2018.
Alisson's move from Roma for £66.8m is next.
Striker Darwin Nunez cost an initial £64m, rising to £85m, when he ed from Benfica - and midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai cost £60m from RB Leipzig in 2023.
Naby Keita, also a midfielder from Leipzig, cost £48m in July 2018 - a club record at the time.
Image source, Getty ImagesWhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
I've always hoped Liverpool stay away from these £100m+ transfers for as long as possible as they very rarely work out due to the enormous pressure before a ball has even been kicked. That being said, it was going to happen sooner or later, and you simply will not get a player of Wirtz's quality for a reasonable price, those days are long gone. Wirtz is probably the best young talent in Europe right now, so this is potentially the biggest statement g the club has ever made. we won the Champions League and then signed nobody in the summer....
Josh, Liverpool
In regards our £100m list earlier...
Joao Felix, Antoine Griezmann and Philippe Coutinho have all departed since their mega-money moves, with the trio struggling to consistently make an impact.
Jack Grealish played a key role in helping Man City win the Treble in 2023, however has struggled to nail down a starting spot since and could be heading for the exit.
Image source, Getty ImagesWhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Wirtz will start off playing false nine and then as he gets used to the Premier League he will drop back into the midfield, especially against the lower league teams.
Liam, Gloucester
Image source, Getty ImagesGerman football expert Constantin Eckner believes Florian Wirtz is choosing Liverpool over Bayern Munich because he will be the star playmaker at the Premier League champions.
Eckner told BBC Sport Wirtz and his family spoke to Bayern Munich, among other clubs, but a conversation with Reds boss Arne Slot convinced him to make the move to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen.
"What ultimately influenced his decision is that Arne Slot in particular offered Wirtz the best plan for the next couple of years, meaning Wirtz will be Liverpool's number 10 - the centrepiece," said Eckner.
"Of course Mohamed Salah is still there, but how many more years will he play for Liverpool? His days are somewhat numbered. Then, Wirtz will be the centrepiece of the Reds attacking system."
WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Excellent news for every Liverpool fan! But more to the point, this is definitely a statement that this club is investing for the future, investing in Slot, and with more potential gs on the cards, other teams will be watching with envy and fear. What a time to be a Liverpool fan!
Simon
Over on our Liverpool page we asked for your thoughts on how Florian Wirtz will fit into Liverpool's team and what it means for the Reds' current midfielders.
Here are some of your comments:
Will: The most important thing is that Wirtz gives us options. He can rotate with Mac Allister and Szoboszlai but I see him working best in the Firmino role, with Salah and Diaz running into goal scoring positions.
Paul: Play all four! Gravenberch as the holding midfielder. The other three rotate positions in the attacking third. No team will be able to plan to defend against that!
Glenn: I don't think it really matters. False nine or midfield rotation. It boils down to quality on the pitch and he has this in abundance. As a false nine I suppose it rakes in the need for a new number nine for the time being.
See Liverpool fan views, analysis and more on our club page
Image source, Getty ImagesWhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
I'd imagine Wirtz plays in a midfield three with Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch. He could also play off the left if we need a stronger midfield in some games. Diaz on the left or moving to striker if so.
Scott, NI
With an initial deal of £100m agreed for his transfer to Liverpool, Florian Wirtz is set to become the 10th player to go for a fee of that magnitude or above. Who else is on the list?
For clarity's sake, we are using initial fees, excluding add-ons where possible.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe fee for Florian Wirtz includes a guaranteed £100m and a further £16m in add-ons.
Those bonus payments would become payable if the Reds achieve a sustained level of success at elite level - and would only then become a British record.
The British record for an initial fee remains Chelsea's £107m g of Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in 2023.
Chelsea also brought in Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo for an initial £100m fee, which could rise to £115m.
WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
How big of a g will Florian Wirtz be? Where will he play?
Use the usual methods above.
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer West Ham, Wolves and Crystal Palace coach Edu Rubio, told BBC Sport: "Florian Wirtz's versatility will be of great value to Liverpool. He can come from the left inside or he play more centrally.
"Wirtz's ability to break lines and find the final is exquisite.
"He is a master in finding the pockets and will also add goals into the squad.
"His work off the ball is very good, but will he adapt quickly to the potentially faster pace and more physical game of the Premier League?
"He is a player with an irable work ethic, so Liverpool will definitely be adding an honest and very skilful player into their squad."
Image source, Getty ImagesMajor tournaments are when the greatest come alive.
Florian Wirtz missed the World Cup in 2022 after an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
At Euro 2024, however, he was back better than before.Wirtz scored the tournament’s opening goal to help hosts defeat Scotland 5-1.
In the quarter-finals, the playmaker popped up with a 89-minute equaliser against Spain to send the game to extra time, only for the hosts to be knocked out after Mikel Merino's 119th-minute goal.
Florian Wirtz made his debut for Bayern Leverkusen at the age of 17 and has scored 57 goals in 197 games for the club, ing 65 assists. He helped them win the Bundesliga for the first time in 2024, when Xabi Alonso’s side went the entire league campaign unbeaten.
Leverkusen also won the German Cup last year to complete a domestic double, which could have been a Treble but they were defeated by Atlanta in the Europa League final.
The 22-year-old has scored seven goals in 31 appearances for since making his national debut in 2021, with Wirtz a starter at Euro 2024.
Image source, Getty Images