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Liverpool fans fear Arne Slot is making a £126m transfer mistake as the Reds close in on Florian Wirtz’s deal

Jamie Brown

Sun 25 May 2025 9:45, UK

Some Liverpool supporters are slightly concerned about what might be about to happen to their transfer plans amid strong links to Florian Wirtz.

Liverpool are closing in on a deal for Wirtz with Arne Slot’s team expected to make the German international their second summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen.

Jeremie Frimpong is also close to signing for Liverpool, with the Reds wasting no time in getting their transfer business completed early.

However, given how much the Merseyside club are set to spend on the Leverkusen duo, there is some worry about a key area of the squad being left neglected.

Liverpool fans fear Florian Wirtz deal means no elite striker

Liverpool fans are concerned that their deal for Florian Wirtz might mean that the club avoid signing an elite-level striker, which is an area of the squad they feel is in desperate need of an upgrade.

Wirtz could cost Liverpool £109m, meanwhile, Frimpong’s £35m release clause means the Reds’ spending is already very high. Elsewhere, Milos Kerkez is set to cost Liverpool £40m.

Those three deals mean that Arne Slot is unlikely to have a huge budget to spend on bringing in a top-level striker. Liverpool’s dream target is Alexander Isak, however, the Swede is expected to cost around £120m.

The club’s supporters are now worried that they might be unable to bring in a top-level striker and whilst Wirtz is a class signing, a number ten wasn’t a major priority.

One fan said: “I don’t know how to feel about this transfer. Wirtz is a world-class player, but for me, the priority was getting a Proper number nine. I hope this will not affect our chances of also signing a world-class striker.”

Another added: “We shouldn’t forget we need a striker too. We can’t use all our transfer funds to pull this Wirtz guy, please. We need a striker people…”

There were further question marks over Wirtz’s impact on a top striker being signed: “I have to assume if we’re willing to spend that on Wirtz, we can’t be in for a striker too. Wirtz false nine? Surely?”

Finally, another supporter stated: “I don’t understand why we need Wirtz, I expect us to be after a top-class striker. Maybe they plan on retaining Nunez.”

Could Arne Slot play Florian Wirtz at number nine for Liverpool?

The signing of Wirtz seems somewhat odd considering how good Dominik Szoboszlai has been this season for Liverpool. Therefore, it leaves the question: Does Slot plan to play Wirtz elsewhere?

Wirtz could be Liverpool’s answer to their number nine issue with the Dutch manager playing the 22-year-old as a false nine. The German international has featured there on several occasions for Leverkusen.

Wirtz has six goal contributions playing as a number nine for Leverkusen this season, showing his ability to fill that role if required.