While he may drift unnoticed between the lines on the pitch, Wirtz has been unable to escape the headlines during an early season transfer saga. The sought-after playmaker was initially thought to be subject of a three-way tussle between Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Real Madrid.

Latest Liverpool transfer news and gossip as Florian Wirtz could be denied a dream shirt number if he moves to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen

But the Germany international, who is considered one of the finest attacking midfielders in European football, is expected to follow Alonso out the exit door at Leverkusen when the summer transfer window opens for business.