Florian Wirtz: Liverpool finally get their guy
After years of monitoring Florian Wirtz’s rise at Bayer Leverkusen, the Reds beat out Manchester City and Bayern Munich to land the 22-year-old for €125 million — a club-record fee and a clear statement of intent. Wirtz is more than hype. In his last two Bundesliga campaigns, he recorded 21 goals and a league-best 23 assists, which is the second-highest goal contribution tally among U23 players in Europe’s top-five leagues, behind only Chelsea’s Cole Palmer. But his value runs deeper than output. Wirtz is the kind of player who anchors a system. Two-footed, remarkably press-resistant, and a master of timing, he operates between lines, manipulates space, and finishes like a natural No. 9. No player attempted more take-ons in the Bundesliga over the last two years than Wirtz (313), and his 161 successful dribbles rank him among the elite, behind only Yamal, Kudus, and Doku. He also created 124 open-play chances in that span — trailing just Salah, Odegaard, Bruno Fernandes, and Palmer. At Liverpool, Wirtz becomes the link between the midfield and forward lines, and will be the creative heartbeat who can also hurt teams directly. In a post-Klopp rebuild, he isn’t just a statement signing. He’s the new engine.
Jeremie Frimpong: No time wasted
Jeremie Frimpong arrived as the replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold, activated via a €35 million release clause from Leverkusen. The 24-year-old replaces a local legend in Trent Alexander-Arnold, but he arrives with a skillset tailored to modern, dynamic full-back play. A former Manchester City academy product, Frimpong has exploded in recent years, racking up 30 goals and 44 assists in 190 appearances for Leverkusen. Deployed mostly as a wing-back in Xabi Alonso’s 3-4-3, Frimpong excelled in advanced roles, operating more like a wide forward than a traditional full-back. He averaged 4.6 touches in the opposition box per 90 — a stat that speaks to his attacking intent. His elite-level dribbling, explosive pace, and ability to arrive in key scoring zones make him a constant threat. Whether making underlapping runs into central spaces or finishing cutbacks at the near post, Frimpong offers a new dimension to Liverpool’s right flank. The challenge will be defensive structure. At Leverkusen, Frimpong’s high positioning was covered by a back three. At Liverpool, Slot may need to tweak systems and perhaps use inverted full-backs to fully unlock his attacking potential. But make no mistake: Frimpong is a high-upside, high-impact addition.
Milos Kerkez: the new man on the left?
Back in 2021, Milan legend Paolo Maldini personally fought to sign a teenage Milos Kerkez - a signal of the Hungarian’s talent and trajectory. Four years later, after a breakout Premier League season with Bournemouth, Kerkez has landed at Liverpool for £40 million. Still just 21, Kerkez blends the aggression of a modern full-back with the instincts of a former attacker. His seven goal contributions last season (two goals, five assists) were second-most among Premier League left-backs, behind only Fulham’s Antonee Robinson. He also became the youngest Hungarian to feature at a European Championship in over six decades, further underlining his maturity and ceiling. Statistically, Kerkez is already posting numbers comparable to Andy Robertson, the man he’ll eventually succeed. He created more big chances (8 to 7), made more final-third passes (412 to 359), and registered more assists (5 to 1). Defensively, he won more duels (53.5 percent) and tackles (39.4 percent) than Robertson. While his expected assists (2.58 xA) still trail the veteran’s (4.26), Kerkez’s rapid development suggests that gap will close fast. For Liverpool, this isn’t just about depth. It’s about continuity. Kerkez is raw, but his upside is clear. With guidance and game time, he could be the left-back for the next decade.
Hugo Ekitike: A new No. 9?
After a breakthrough campaign in the Bundesliga, Hugo Ekitike is set to become Liverpool’s next big attacking bet. As per reports, the Reds have agreed a £79 million deal with Eintracht Frankfurt for the 22-year-old French striker, who is expected to undergo his medical and sign a six-year contract before linking up with the squad on their Asia tour. Ekitike’s numbers last season were eye-catching. His 22 goals in 48 games across all competitionshelped Frankfurt to a Champions League spot. In the league alone, he netted 15 times, with only five players outscoring him in Germany’s top flight. A true box threat, Ekitike scored over half of those from inside the six-yard box, while also proving deadly on the counter. No player scored more breakaway goals in the Bundesliga last season. His profile is more rounded than most poachers too. He ranked 24th for key passes (44) and sixth for successful dribbles (52), showing his ability to link play and beat defenders. Interestingly, he also underperformed his xG more than any player in the league, scoring 15 from a 22.55 xG tally — a sign that with sharper finishing, his ceiling is even higher. Courted by Manchester United and Newcastle, Ekitike now arrives as Liverpool’s new centre-forward option, bringing pace, power, and major upside to Arne Slot’s evolving attack.
Slot’s Liverpool
All three signings follow a clear theme — versatility, verticality, and technical aggression. Wirtz offers the creativity and control needed to replace the hole left by Thiago and the evolution of the No. 10 role under Klopp. Frimpong redefines what Liverpool’s right side can look like — high output, high risk, high reward. And Kerkez ensures the left flank has a long-term solution, not just a short-term cover. Under Arne Slot, Liverpool’s rebuild is all about foundation. With three major pieces added early in the window, the club looks ready to evolve into its next phase. Faster, younger, sharper. The message is clear. Liverpool aren’t rebuilding. They’re reloading.