Florian Wirtz: Who is the Liverpool and Germany star?
Florian Wirtz blossomed into one of world football's most-feared attackers at Bayer Leverkusen. bundesliga.com gives you the lowdown on the supremely gifted German talent now plying his trade in England...
Stats correct as of April 2026
Age: 22 (born 3 May 2003)
Club: Liverpool
Position: Attacking midfielder
Country: Germany (39 caps, 10 goals)
Key stats
Wirtz took 2023/24 Bundesliga Player of the Season honours for his starring role in Leverkusen's historic, unbeaten run to the title. The former Cologne youngster and 2017 U19 Bundesliga champion scored 11 and made 12 across 32 dazzling league appearances, adding to his seven goal contributions in Bayer's triumphant DFB Cup campaign and eight during their run to the UEFA Europa League final.
There was more of Wirtz's trademark star dust in 2024/25, notably a team-leading six goals in nine UEFA Champions League outings. The 5'8" playmaker again hit double figures for combined goals and assists domestically, having also lit up Germany's UEFA Euro 2024 and 2024/25 Nations League campaigns. The 2022/23 Europa League Young Player of the Season even made history as his country's greenest Euro scorer with his group-stage strike against Scotland.
In the summer of 2025, Wirtz joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in a record-breaking deal. After an initial adjustment period, the 22-year-old has grown into a key player on Merseyside, contributing six goals and nine assists in all competitions this season.
Wirtz is now set to lead Germany's attack at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having been a key factor in the side's qualification for the tournament. His status as one of Julian Nagelsmann's most important players was illustrated in a March 2026 friendly against Switzerland, where he picked up the Player of the Match award after having a hand in all four of Germany's goals.
Plays a bit like: Thomas Häßler
A creative force of nature, Wirtz shares a lot of similarities with 90s string-puller extraordinaire Thomas Häßler. Diminutive, quick, always on the move, technical, skilful and a taker and maker of chances, he really does - in much the same vein as the aforementioned 1990 FIFA World Cup and 1996 Euro winner - have it all.
Did you know?
Football is certainly a family affair where Wirtz is concerned. His parents are his agents, his father is the chairman of SV Grün-Weiß Brauweiller - the club Florian played for before joining Cologne - and his eldest sister, Juliane, plays professionally for Women's Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen, having previously represented Cologne and Leverkusen.
What they're saying
"You have to give special players like Flo the possibility to do special things on the pitch." – former Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso
"Florian is just a huge asset for this team 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." – former Germany head coach Hansi Flick
"I knew a lot of clubs were interested and then we thought that before he went anywhere else, let's try to get him to join us and stay at home. I've known the player since he was 14." – Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes
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