Liverpool have announced the signing of Florian Wirtz, issuing an emphatic statement to the Premier League and Europe that Arne Slot’s side are at the top and they are there to stay.
The German international was one of the most sought-after players in the world, with Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid all keen, but he chose Merseyside as his destination, with Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes wrapping up the £116m deal this weekend.
The playmaker, who scored during an unforgettable career opening with Bayer Leverkusen, is aiming to win the full gamut of major honours at Anfield, and he certainly has the capacity to do so.
However, all this fanfare around Wirtz has somewhat drowned out the exciting deal for Milos Kerkez, who is all but confirmed as a new member of Slot’s squad.
Why Liverpool signed Milos Kerkez
Liverpool lost Trent Alexander-Arnold at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, the vice-captain running down his contract to sign for Real Madrid on a free transfer.
And now the Reds could be set to lose their other long-serving full-back in Andy Robertson, who, aged 31, has been on the decline and is entering the final year of his contract. La Liga’s Atletico Madrid are currently hoping to bring him over to Spain.
Luckily, Liverpool have already acted to bring in Kerkez, who hasn’t officially signed but is on the verge of leaving Bournemouth for Anfield, with a £40m fee agreed.
Hailed as “an elite player” who notably thrived when pitted against the likes of Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka last season, Kerkez is the perfect profile for the role of a modern full-back, balanced, steely in defence and a tireless runner.
He will provide Slot’s high-flying system with a new dimension down the left channel, potentially even proving the perfect partner for another Premier League star on FSG’s radar.
Liverpool line up new winger
According to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Liverpool are still keen on signing Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon, despite bagging Wirtz already this month.
Valued at £75m, the 24-year-old winger was of a vested interest to the Anfield side last summer, but Newcastle found a different way to navigate around their PSR problems.
However, Liverpool are back in contention now and sporting director Richard Hughes is keeping a close eye on developments, joined by Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea. That said, Bailey is convinced that the England international favours a move to Liverpool over the Londoners, as it is his dream destination.
Bringing Gordon back over to Merseyside would likely be dependent on the future of Luis Diaz, who has been linked with Barcelona and suitors over in the Saudi Pro League.
What Anthony Gordon would bring to Liverpool
Gordon left his home city to sign for Newcastle in a £45m deal back in January 2023, ending his career beginnings with Everton.
Signing a former Toffee would always come laced with a certain contentiousness, but Gordon is actually of a Liverpool persuasion, released from the club’s academy when he was 11 years old.
Athletically dynamic and versatile, Gordon’s best years lie ahead of him, and he would prove the perfect Diaz replacement if the Colombian is indeed sold this summer, having shown his potential across the 2023/24 season when notching 28 goal involvements across all competitions and winning United’s Player of the Year award.
Last season, the return hasn’t been quite so rich, Gordon posting six goals and five assists in the league, but his trademark energy and enthusiasm were very much on show throughout.
Though the Three Lions man didn’t quite reach the same heights last term, he still gave a good account of himself for a Magpies side who qualified for the Champions League and won the Carabao Cup.
Matches (starts)
35 (34)
34 (28)
Goals
11
6
Assists
10
5
Shots (on target)*
2.3 (0.9)
1.7 (0.6)
Pass completion
82%
81%
Key passes*
1.6
1.5
Big chances created
16
6
Dribbles*
1.5
1.1
Ball recoveries*
3.6
2.9
Tackles + interceptions*
1.8
1.1
Duels (won)*
5.3 (49%)
4.4 (52%)
His eye-catching defensive contribution and determination in the duel highlight just how Gordon could not only benefit from Kerkez’s attacking qualities but also aid the Hungarian from a defensive perspective.
Of course, Gordon is hardly a blunt-edged attacking instrument himself, explaining himself to be a “nightmare for anyone” he comes up against, owing to his electric pace and a directness that Liverpool have seen plenty of before through Diaz’s showings.
The wide forward’s ability to stretch lines is truly something to behold. Moreover, Gordon’s running would help create creative space for Kerkez, who finished the 2024/25 league campaign ranked among the top 12% of positional peers in the Premier League for progressive carries and the top 20% for crosses made per 90, as per FBref.
We must, at this point, trust FSG’s judgment. Diaz is clearly one of the best wingers in the world but in Gordon, the perfect heir could be found. Were an ageing Robertson the one partnering him on the flank, fluency might not be in full swing, but given that Liverpool have all but wrapped up a deal for Kerkez, there’s plenty of reason to be excited.
The fact that Gordon wants to join the club only adds substance to the argument to bring him over. Currently off on holiday with Liverpool’s Curtis Jones, you wonder if the subject has been discussed.
As rumours of a move for Alexander Isak linger in the air too, might Slot have a vision of these two forwards combining under the Anfield lights for many years to come?
In any case, Gordon would be a brilliant long-term investment for Liverpool, especially as he will find a fearsome partner in Kerkez supplying him from behind.
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