When Harvey Elliott was quizzed during England U21 duty on his Liverpool future, he responded by saying he was wary of “wasting years of my career” as an understudy in Arne Slot’s system.
The young playmaker only made two starts in the Premier League last season, ands both came in May. The boyhood Red would hope to stay on with the Merseysiders, but he’s 22 now and understandably wants to be competing regularly from the opening whistle.
Maybe the signing of Florian Wirtz has had a say in the matter?
The German international rejected interest from Manchester City and Bayern Munich last month, and after several weeks of negotiations, Liverpool have finally reached a breakthrough with Bayer Leverkusen for what will be a British-record signing.
Liverpool's deal for Florian Wirtz
There were understandably a few Liverpool fans dotted about harbouring concerns that Wirtz’s expected transfer to the club would fall through.
But the Reds have sealed the deal, and Wirtz, 22, will play in Liverpool red. Sure, things turned a tad protracted, but the Anfield side have pulled off a deal for a “truly generational talent”, as he has been called by sports media professional Cristian Nyari.
It was never going to be easy, with Die Werkself obstinate in their stance, ekeing out every last copper from their Merseyside counterparts. Indeed, with all add-ons included, this could prove a €150m (£127m) transfer.
Wirtz has been one of the most sought-after players in world football, rising from strength to strength and stronger still under Xabi Alonso’s wing. He will raise Liverpool’s frontline to the next level, and indeed, could take a fellow transfer target and turn them into something special.
Liverpool have advantage in race for Premier League star
As per Sky Sports, Liverpool have joined Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in the race for Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, who has enjoyed an excellent campaign on the south coast.
The Red Devils are in the picture, but it’s felt that the Ghana international favours a move to a club competing in the Champions League, making Liverpool the favourites over their historic rivals, who have failed to secure any level of European competition after losing the Europa League final to Tottenham.
However, at this stage, Spurs have done the most work on the talented winger, who the Cherries would only sell for a £50m fee.
Why Liverpool want Antoine Semenyo
Mohamed Salah has Liverpool’s right flank on lock, but with Federico Chiesa prioritising a return to Italy after a difficult opening campaign in the Premier League, featuring only six times, bringing in a rising star of Semenyo’s quality could work a treat for Slot’s project.
Having joined Bournemouth from Bristol City for £10.5m in January 2023, Semenyo’s stock has risen in increments, becoming a major player in Andoni Iraola’s system.
Two-footed and ferociously explosive, the 25-year-old embodies many of the tactical virtues Slot employs, not least the fact that a hard-working attitude will get you far on the field.
His intelligence and link-up play further highlight the success that could be found in a high-flying Liverpool system with Wirtz at the centre, pulling the strings.
Not just a powerful goalscorer, Semenyo has been hailed by analyst Ben Mattinson for being a “duel monster”, so tenacious and determined to win the ball back, to drive play forward.
This level of commitment and sharpness is something that Wirtz could relish playing alongside, especially since the elite playmaker would find in Semenyo a partner whose ball-striking is a relentless thing.
Having been praised by Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp for mastering the art of the “Salah goal”, finding pockets of space in the danger area and pouncing with merciless hunger, Semenyo is the real deal, and given that Chiesa is being linked with a return to Italy, could prove the perfect player to challenge Liverpool’s Egyptian superstar for a place on the right.
Of course, Semenyo is more than just a one-position man.
Right winger
46
13
3
Left winger
29
7
5
Centre-forward
6
1
0
Where Semenyo’s best position would be at Liverpool, should he indeed sign, remains to be seen, but the fact that he can maintain a steady rate of scoring across both wings bodes well, especially with someone like Wirtz influencing from behind.
Wirtz, who is more than happy to roam around the park himself, has actually been described as something of a “genius” on the ball by his former Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso.
Despite only featuring 197 times as a professional for Leverkusen, Wirtz has already built up quite the prolific resume, having scored 57 goals and provided 65 assists, crowned the 2023/24 Bundesliga Player of the Season after winning the league with his invincible outfit.
Further illustrating his creative flair: last season, he ranked among the top 9% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues for assists, and the top 7% for shot-creating actions and progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.
Semenyo likes to fire on goal, all right, and Liverpool could find themselves striking a sure-fire formula for success by combining the Bournemouth sensation with Wirtz, whose creative capacity knows no bounds.
Sealing this deal could prove the perfect way to add that bit of extra depth and dynamism to Slot’s ranks, consolidating Liverpool’s position as a superpower above all the rest.
Upgrade on Huijsen: Liverpool make approach to sign "exceptional" £43m star
Liverpool are in the market for a new centre-back this summer.
ByAngus Sinclair Jun 10, 2025
