Florian Wirtz, Liverpool’s £116 million record signing from Bayer Leverkusen, has revealed that his former manager Xabi Alonso wholeheartedly endorsed his move to Anfield, quashing rumors of a potential reunion at Real Madrid.
The 21-year-old German star, speaking during his integration at the AXA Training Centre on June 25, 2025, shared Alonso’s words of encouragement: “He was really happy that I was coming here. He said he came to Liverpool at 22, too, and it’s the perfect place to grow.” The comment highlights Alonso’s affection for the Reds, where he won the 2005 Champions League.
Alonso, now managing Real Madrid after guiding Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double, was reportedly keen to bring Wirtz to the Bernabeu, praising him as a future Ballon d’Or contender.
Despite speculation of a Madrid move, Wirtz opted for Liverpool, drawn by Arne Slot’s vision and the club’s aggressive pursuit, including a personal meeting with Wirtz’s family.
The transfer, finalized on June 24, 2025, reunited Wirtz with ex-Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong, strengthening Liverpool’s attack alongside Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Wirtz’s standout 2024/25 season—18 goals and 20 assists in 49 appearances, with 104 key passes and 87 dribbles—made him a prime target for top clubs like Bayern Munich and Manchester City.
His versatility as a No. 10 or winger fits Slot’s fluid 4-2-3-1 system, and early training sessions suggest a seamless integration. Alonso’s endorsement, rooted in his own transformative stint at Liverpool from 2004 to 2009, adds emotional weight to the move, with the Spaniard reportedly seeing parallels between his and Wirtz’s journeys at age 22.
Liverpool fans are thrilled, with many celebrating Alonso’s support as a seal of approval from a club legend. However, some remain wary of Madrid’s interest in other Reds stars, like Ibrahima Konaté, after a rejected £80 million bid.
Wirtz’s arrival, part of a £185.5 million summer haul including Milos Kerkez and Frimpong, signals Liverpool’s ambition to defend their Premier League title. As Wirtz prepares for his Anfield debut, Alonso’s words resonate, framing the young star’s move as the start of a new chapter in Liverpool’s storied history.
