Liverpool’s business this summer has been nothing short of spectacular and they are signing some of Europe’s elite.

There is certainly a huge juxtaposition in expectations for the Reds when Arne Slot first arrived compared to now, especially after their recent transfer activity.

Not only will Liverpool be favourites to win the Premier League and successfully retain their title, but they will be tipped to go all the way in almost every competition.

Signing Florian Wirtz for £116m is one of the main reasons for this, with the German one of the hottest talents after also being wanted by Bayern Munich and Manchester City.

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However, he rejected them both and opted for a move to Anfield, enabling Liverpool to say that they have one of the world’s best on their hands.

Wirtz has been compared to Lionel Messi among others and the pressure will be high, although there is another player who he has, bizarrely, been likened to.



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Player comparisons are always dangerous as not only can it add pressure onto the individual’s shoulders, but it can also disappoint fans if they do not live up to the hype.

Wirtz has certainly been likened to many top players throughout his career so far, but showing similarities to Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy is not something that many would expect.

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“He is hugely entertaining to watch.

You know, he’ll come up with a touch.

He’ll come up with a trick,” European Football Expert Kevin Hatchard said on the talkSPORT Daily Podcast.

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“A lot of people know Florian Wirtz by how good a footballer he is, but, you know, technically, his movement, his assists, his goals, you know, he’s got huge energy.

He’s a bit like Jamie Vardy, the look of how slim he is, and his wily sort of character on the football pitch, but incredibly gifted.”

Although ability-wise he is on a much higher level than Vardy, if he works anywhere near as hard as the former Premier League winner, then Liverpool have a player who ticks all the boxes.

The Englishman is famously known for getting his chance at the top level very late in his career, only moving to Leicester from non-league at the age of 25.

Wirtz, however, played his first Bundesliga game aged just 16, breaking Bayer Leverkusen’s record as their youngest-ever debutant.

17-year-old Wirtz was tipped to go to the top as well, something he has done already just five years later, although there are still levels higher that he can go.

In some strange way, Liverpool fans will hope he does turn out like Vardy to some extent as he has had a very successful Premier League career, although Wirtz will hope to achieve much more than the Englishman did during his time with Leicester.


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