Florian Wirtz vs Jude Bellingham: Liverpool reportedly consider both

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Liverpool have eyes on both Florian Wirtz and Jude Bellingham, according to reports. Who makes the most sense, though?

Bild claims that Liverpool want Florian Wirtz. The 18-year-old is flying with Bayer Leverkusen right now and looks like a potential superstar.

But he’s not the only 18-year-old wonderkid lighting up the Bundesliga. Jude Bellingham, of course, really could be the next big thing.

And Liverpool supposedly want him, too. In fact, Borussia Dortmund director Sebastian Kehl admitted as much this week to Sport1.

There are a couple of other similarities here. Firstly, both would likely move in 2023 at the earliest. Secondly, they’d each cost over £100m.

So who makes the most sense for Liverpool?

Wirtz vs Bellingham

The fit

Out of the two, we’d argue that Bellingham is the better immediate fit for Liverpool. He’s a fantastic all-around midfielder already, averaging over a tackle, interception, dribble and key pass per game.

Bellingham has tremendous energy, too, and could easily slot into a 4-3-3. He’d essentially be a perfect replacement for Jordan Henderson down the line – which is why Liverpool can afford to wait on him.

As for Wirtz, he’s shining in a more advanced midfield role. It’s one Liverpool don’t typically play and there would need to be a big of shifting about.

Maybe that means changing the formation to a 4-2-3-1 and playing Wirtz behind a striker. Maybe it means changing Wirtz into a False 9 as they did Roberto Firmino. Of course, Liverpool could back him to learn the more traditional midfield role.

Either way, Wirtz is more of a gamble in terms of fit than Bellingham. The latter is just about perfect.

The need

As good as Bellingham is, Liverpool don’t actually have a desperate need for a young midfielder like that. Curtis Jones is doing wonderfully well on the left of a midfield three, while Harvey Elliott looked great on the right of that trio.

Bellingham is certainly a level above both right now and may well just be better than both. It still stands that Liverpool aren’t begging for a player of his type, though.

But they don’t have a young midfielder who offers the threat that Wirtz does. He’s the same age as Elliott, for instance, but already has double-digits for Bundesliga goals and assists.

£100m there would get Liverpool something they don’t really have. And if Wirtz could replace Roberto Firmino long-term, he’d be well worth that outlay.

The risk

Liverpool don’t spend this kind of money easily. With that in mind, we think they’d lean towards Bellingham as the way to go.

He’s less of a risk, even if it might mean shifting Jones or Elliott into a new role. Sign the Englishman and Liverpool effectively guarantee themselves a perfect player for a long time to come.