Last summer, the transfer market had one name on everyone's lips: Florian Wirtz. The Bayer Leverkusen sensation was the crown jewel, pursued by giants from Real Madrid to Bayern Munich and Manchester City. In a stunning move, Liverpool swooped in, shattering their transfer record to secure the German playmaker—a signing hailed as a potential club-defining coup for the Anfield attack.
Yet, the anticipated fairytale debut season has yet to materialize. While Wirtz has shown flashes of his immense talent, his integration hasn't been seamless. The narrative has been sharpened by the contrasting, immediate success of Manchester City's alternative signing, Rayan Cherki. Initially seen as a consolation prize after missing out on Wirtz, the Frenchman has flourished, earning rave reviews from Pep Guardiola himself after a masterclass against Chelsea.
Guardiola's praise for Cherki inadvertently highlighted the crux of Liverpool's challenge with Wirtz. "Rayan is an extraordinary talent," Guardiola said, emphasizing a key tactical point. "The problem for Rayan is sometimes he plays in positions too close to [the goalkeeper]... your talent has to be in the final third. Be close to Haaland, close to wingers. We will bring the ball to you."
This philosophy is borne out in the stats. Cherki averages a league-leading 90 touches per 90 minutes for his position at City, a significant jump from his 75 touches at Lyon. This indicates a system designed to funnel possession to its creative hub in dangerous areas. For Wirtz, the story is different. After averaging a Bundesliga-high 86 touches per 90 at Leverkusen, his involvement at Liverpool has dropped to just 71—nearly 20 fewer opportunities on the ball than Cherki enjoys.
The numbers tell a clear story: it's a systemic adjustment, not a dip in quality. Guardiola's comments underscore a fundamental principle for unlocking elite playmakers—keep them high, in the final third, and build the system to get them the ball. For Liverpool, the task ahead is clear: finding the tactical key to unleash Wirtz's full, devastating potential and ensure their record signing becomes the Anfield legend they envisioned.