Liverpool's "world-class" talent will be finished at Anfield if Wirtz signs

Not many Liverpool fans would’ve expected the side to go all the way and claim the Premier League title during Arne Slot’s first season at the helm.

However, the Dutchman has created a seamless transition after taking the reins from fan-favourite Jürgen Klopp during the summer just under 12 months ago.

He’s won 68% of the matches across all competitions, losing just nine times in his 56 outings – with only two of which coming on home soil against Nottingham Forest and PSG.

Despite such an impressive first year at Anfield, the 46-year-old has already made it clear that he wants new signings to help strengthen his first-team squad on Merseyside.

With the window just around the corner, the hierarchy have already wasted no time in pursuing moves for two players from the same outfit during the summer market.

The latest on Liverpool’s move for Wirtz & Frimpong this summer

Over the last couple of days, a deal has rapidly progressed for right-back Jeremie Frimpong, with the Dutch international set to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold on Merseyside.

The Reds are set to pay £29.5m for his services, with the 24-year-old flying to England over the last few days to complete his switch to link up with Slot’s side.

He could be joined at Anfield by current Bayer Leverkusen teammate Florian Wirtz next season, with the attacking midfielder also holding talks with the club’s hierarchy over a potential move during the off-season.

It’s been reported that the 22-year-old has chosen the Reds over Manchester City and Bayern Munich, but the two sides will need to agree a fee, which could prove to be over £100m and a new club-record.

Both players would add drastic quality to the current squad at Slot’s disposal, but it may require some players being offloaded to help balance the books given the figures involved in such deals.

The player who Slot needs to sell this summer

After such an impressive season in 2024/25, it would be harsh to offload many players from the Liverpool squad, but Harvey Elliott may want to depart the club for a new challenge elsewhere.

The 22-year-old has dropped down the pecking order after the Dutchman’s arrival last summer, making just 18 league appearances in 2024/25 – only two of which came from a starting position.

He’s since been linked with moves away from Merseyside ahead of the summer window, with Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers just two options on the table for the youngster.

He could be joined out of the door by winger Federico Chiesa, who’s struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League after his £10m switch from Juventus last summer.

The Italian has only made six league appearances in 2024/25, starting just once and featuring for a total of just 104 minutes and failing to register a goal or an assist.

He did manage to find the back of the net in the Carabao Cup final defeat against Newcastle United back in March – which has undoubtedly been the best moment during his time in England.

Many have said that the 27-year-old will need time to settle in England, but after a year, he’s shown little signs of living up to the promise he arrived with – costing them a pretty penny in the process.

Chiesa, who has been labelled “world-class” by journalist David Reverter, currently earns a staggering £150k-per-week, a figure that sees him take home £7.8m per sseason – a staggering figure given his lack of impact on Merseyside.

If the club are to take the jump and maintain their success, they will need to invest well this summer, with Wirtz seemingly the big-money signing that the hierarchy are desperately wanting to complete.

Given the German’s tally of 30 combined goals and assists in 2024/25, it’s a no-brainer for the board to try and land him this summer, injecting further quality into the side, which will likely drop Elliott and Chiesa further down the order.

It’s been an unfortunate spell for the Italian winger, but given his mammoth earnings every season, it’s a hefty figure that’s unjustifiable given his lack of impact on the side on Merseyside – allowing for needed funds to secure a deal for the Leverkusen sensation.

Related

FSG must finally axe Liverpool flop who earns way more than Wirtz

Liverpool need to make a series of changes in the transfer market this summer.