“It’s not normal” – Florian Wirtz on his £116m Liverpool move | OneFootball

Liverpool’s £116m Man Speaks: Florian Wirtz Opens Up On Price Tag And Arne Slot’s Support

Liverpool’s capture of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for £116 million stunned the football world and signalled a fresh era at Anfield. The 22-year-old midfielder arrived in the summer as the most expensive player in the club’s history at the time, until Alexander Isak’s £125 million move eclipsed it only weeks later.

For a club historically cautious with record-breaking fees, the signing of Wirtz represented both ambition and trust in a player already regarded as one of Europe’s most gifted young talents. The move coincided with Arne Slot’s first summer window as Liverpool manager, fresh off his Premier League title triumph in 2024–25, and reflected his intent to refresh the squad for a new cycle.

Florian Wirtz Addresses The Weight Of The Price Tag

Wirtz’s arrival sparked questions about whether such a young player could handle the pressure of that British record fee. Speaking to Sky Sports Germany, he struck a measured tone about the situation:

“It is what it is. We’re not used to Liverpool spending so much.They haven’t done that in recent years, and then they were able to do it this summer. Of course, it’s not normal for a player to cost that much. Everyone knows that.But at the moment, it’s just paid for. The coach told me that here in the squad, you don’t have to put any pressure on yourself about how much you cost.”

Photo: IMAGO

These remarks reveal a player focused on football rather than figures. The emphasis on performance over price is echoed by Slot, who has reportedly reassured Wirtz that the transfer fee is irrelevant to his place in the team.

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson suggested the sizeable investment might guarantee Wirtz more playing time than his early-season displays have earned. That opinion, while pointed, underscores the expectations tied to the fee.

Early Impact And Adaptation Under Arne Slot

Wirtz has shown flashes of the attributes that persuaded Liverpool to invest so heavily. His relentless pressing and energy off the ball have been praised, offering a glimpse of what he could become once fully integrated into Slot’s tactical approach.

Adapting to English football can be challenging, and Wirtz himself admitted the process is ongoing:

“Sometimes there are phases where maybe not everything goes your way,” he said. “I’m staying cool and once I fully settle, everything will be fine.”

Slot’s calm approach appears central to easing Wirtz into the side. The Dutchman has already demonstrated with other signings that reputation or cost will not guarantee automatic selection, a policy that has helped maintain harmony within a competitive squad.

Jeremie Frimpong, a familiar face from Wirtz’s Leverkusen days, expressed confidence in his teammate’s ability to “click and shine for the Reds” once fully acclimatised.

Liverpool Squad Competition Breeds Confidence

Wirtz’s integration is also buoyed by the internal competition at Liverpool. The German international singled out Ryan Gravenberch as the standout performer in training, a compliment that reflects the quality around him and the demanding standards Slot encourages.

The presence of high-level peers pushing for places should help Wirtz progress without being consumed by the expectation surrounding his fee. Liverpool’s willingness to pursue both Wirtz and Isak in the same window suggests a clear vision for maintaining their title-winning momentum under Slot.

With the manager’s backing and a talented squad supporting him, Wirtz appears determined to prove that his hefty transfer sum will not define his story at Anfield. The coming months promise to show whether he can translate that resolve into decisive performances on the pitch.