Xabi Alonso, a revered figure in Liverpool’s history, boasting an impressive list of achievements including a World Cup, two European Championships, and two Champions League titles, is known to have played alongside and against some of football’s finest.
During Bayer Leverkusen‘s recent 2-1 victory over SC Freiburg, a performance that kept his team at the top of the Bundesliga standings, Alonso witnessed a moment of brilliance that left him in awe. It was Florian Wirtz’s opening goal, one of the most extraordinary individual goals Alonso has ever seen in his storied football career, both as a player and now as a manager.
Xabi Alonso, a revered figure in Liverpool’s history
Wirtz, a 20-year-old talent, received the ball on the right flank, just outside the penalty area, and embarked on a mesmerizing solo run into the box. He expertly weaved past two defenders, leaving one of them twice befuddled, and evading their challenges. Despite the multitude of Freiburg defenders surrounding him, Wirtz managed to cut back towards the byline before curling a shot into the lower left-hand corner.
Alonso, clearly impressed, commented, “I don’t think I’ve seen a goal that special from him so far. The dribble, dribble, dribble, and then the shot.”
“We recently discussed Flo and the things he does; I can’t teach him these things, just like today. Only a few players in the Bundesliga are capable of doing so.”
Wirtz’s incredible goal marked his fifth of the season in 13 appearances across all competitions. In the same match, he provided an assist for Jonas Hofmann’s winning goal, further showcasing his exceptional talent. Notably, Wirtz had recovered from an ACL injury in March 2022 and returned in January after a 10-month absence, which caused him to miss the Qatar World Cup. Despite this setback, his performance has been nothing short of remarkable.
Liverpool has expressed interest in the young German, with Jurgen Klopp reportedly being a fan of his. While Wirtz’s contract keeps him at Leverkusen until 2024, his electrifying form has drawn attention from top clubs across Europe, including Liverpool.
Alonso was clearly impressed with Florian Wirtz’s performance
Wirtz’s style of play has drawn comparisons to Liverpool’s own Mohamed Salah, particularly in the way he cuts inside, outfoxes defenders, and finishes with finesse. Despite not being left-footed, Wirtz predominantly operates as an attacking midfielder for Leverkusen, offering versatility in the squad.
Liverpool’s diverse attacking options, including Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota, and Darwin Nunez, don’t preclude the possibility of adding Wirtz to their ranks. Klopp’s favored system, resembling a 3-4-2-1 setup, allows for flexibility, much like when Trent Alexander-Arnold plays in midfield as an inverted right-back.
Wirtz has previously played as an offensive midfielder or on the left side, but due to the departure of Moussa Diaby to Aston Villa, he has adapted to playing on the right side. His impressive display indicates his adeptness with his left foot, as highlighted by his recent strike.
With ongoing speculation about Mohamed Salah’s future and potential departures, Liverpool may need to secure a suitable successor at some point. While Wirtz may not be an exact match for Salah’s position, his talent has certainly put him on the radar as a potential solution. One thing is clear: if Wirtz continues to shine for Leverkusen, a significant move to a top club is on the horizon.
