Liverpool went all out in the summer transfer window. The Reds sought to bolster Arne Slots title-winning squad and brought in some exciting new signings for big money.
Alexander Isaks protracted move from Newcastle United was straightforward from a Liverpool point of view. They were able to pay the fee and the player wanted to join Liverpool and only Liverpool.
Bayern Munich usually get their man but not always, as Liverpool proved
Young German talents join Bayern Munich. Thats the way its been for decades and it doesnt matter where theyre from or who they play for. Bayern are the team at the top of the mountain, where hopes and dreams and cash tend to win out.
Attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz had that path available to him but ultimately shunned Bayern, signing for the Premier League champions to the surprise of many in Germany who thought theyd seen the story unfold hundreds of times before.
Wirtz made his name and quickly established a legacy at Bayer Leverkusen, where he won the Bundesliga with Xabi Alonsos unbeaten team in 2023/24 alongside fellow Liverpool acquisition Jeremie Frimpong.
Experienced midfielder Robert Andrich was in that team too and has admitted that he tried to persuade Wirtz to move to Liverpool instead of lining up in opposition for the Bavarian giants.
I wanted [the move abroad] and I told the Bayern boys that too, 31-year-old Andrich told BILD via Sport Witness. Im happy for him that he took the step. I wouldnt have thought that he would dare to take the step abroad.
It was certainly an unusual decision for a German player at the age of 22. Wirtz was rated as one of the most in-demand players throughout the summer transfer window and the option to stay in Germany but join a club capable of competing in the final rounds of the Champions League must have been tempting.
Young, effective and already established in the national team, Wirtz is exactly the kind of player Bayern like to hoover up and its understood that the hierarchy were shocked when it didnt come to pass.
Wirtz and Andrich combined to help drive Leverkusens incredible unbeaten Bundesliga season. The notorious near-missers powered their way to the league title, ending the season unbeaten not only in the league but as DFB-Pokal winners too.
They nearly went all the way in the Europa League, too, but were denied by a spectacular hat-trick from Atalantas former Everton forward Ademola Lookman.
Wirtz has taken his time to get going on Merseyside, not helped by Liverpools faltering form as a team. The German has started 16 of the Reds 21 Premier League matches and has begun to find his feet with more eye-catching performances and a couple of league goals to his name.
