Why Reds seem the perfect fit for Wirtz

Germany star has attitude that will appeal to Slot

- By PAUL GORST

As one of 10 children, Florian Wirtz is well versed in the importance of family.

So when he approached a major crossroads in a brilliant young career last month, the Bayer Leverkusen star naturally sought the counsel of his parents.

Mother Karin and father - and agent - Hans have been instrumental in guiding the 22-year-old so far. With their steady hand the attacking midfielder has risen from a junior footballer with his dad's SV Grun-Weiss Brauweiler side to continental stardom.

"My parents played a big part in me becoming a professional footballer" Wirtz told Sports Illustrated last month.

"They were at every game, my mother even at every training session. I am very lucky to have such a family."

"His parents go to every game and dote on him," Bundesliga expert Ed McCambridge says.

"They have instilled in him the belief that money is not the most important factor in a football career.

"He is very family-oriented and he has the sort of football arrogance that you want to see on the pitch, but off it he is very grounded with family values."

So when interest from Bundesliga behemoth Bayern Munich became clear alongside Premier League rivals Manchester City and champions Liverpool, some thinking time was needed for the Wirtz family.

A move to England appealed to someone keen to experience football outside his comfort zone but the elixir of Bayern is uniquely intoxicating for German-born players. Most of them, at least.

A year removed from starring for Leverkusen as they went the entire Bundesliga campaign unbeaten to win their first-ever title alongside a German Cup, there appeared to be few frontiers left to explore as a Die Werkself player.

Knocked down to the runners-up spot by a resurgent Bayern this time out, the opportunity to move directly to the biggest club in his homeland surely appealed.