Mix of Messi and Wirtz: Liverpool Make Contact to Sign Lennart Karl

· GiveMeSport

Liverpool have made contact over a deal for a potential Florian Wirtz replacement who has been compared to Lionel Messi.

Liverpool have made contact with Bayern Munich over a deal to sign superstar youngster Lennart Karl, according to a report.

The Reds have had a strong start to life under Andoni Iraola, suffering just one defeat in their opening 11 games of the campaign, including winning six of their last seven games in all competitions.

But despite their excellent form, there have been major concerns over the performances of £116m playmaker Florian Wirtz so far, after he struggled to impress in the vast majority of games since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2025.

Wirtz started his Anfield career with a measly seven goals and ten assists in 49 appearances in all competitions, which was way below expectations considering the fee paid. This season, the Germany international started slowly once more, registering just one assist in his first seven appearances.

That form saw many, including club legend Jamie Carragher, call for him to be dropped from Iraola's side, and that also led to question marks about his long-term future. Iconic midfielder Dietmar Hamann told GIVEMESPORT exclusively that he didn't feel his fellow countryman had a future at the club , and felt as though he had given up on himself when it came to becoming a top Premier League player.

Since then, Wirtz has picked up a goal and two assists in his last three games, but there are still concerns over what he can deliver long-term, and that had led to the club beginning to look at potential reinforcements for their attack.

A number of names have been linked with a potential move to the club, and TEAMtalk now report that Bayern Munich youngster Lennart Karl is the latest player that Anfield chiefs have made contact with.

The 18-year-old broke into the Bayern team last season but has found opportunities more limited over the last 12 months, following some disciplinary issues off the pitch. But a lack of game time has now sparked speculation that he could move in 2027, and his representatives have touched base with the Reds to gauge their interest.

Bayern understand how good the player is and don't want to sell, but club chief Uli Hoeness has recently spoken out against him, and the relationship between Karl and Bayern is beginning to sour.

No deal is believed to be imminent or advanced at this stage, but should Karl continue to be left out of the team heading into the new year, things could accelerate during the transfer window.

Karl has already shown his quality at the highest level, scoring against Arsenal in the Champions League last season, and at just 18 it's no surprise that Bayern rate him so highly. Bayern Munich reporter Taufig Khalil even compared the teenager to Lionel Messi, one of the greatest football players of all time .

> "He plays the Messi style, because his centre of gravity is very low, which means he can make very fast turns.

> "It was pretty obvious that this kid had something really special."

Wirtz looked special in Germany too, but has struggled in England. However, at just 18 and with a coach like Andoni Iraola around to make him better and mould him, a move to Anfield would be absolutely perfect for Karl.

Operating across the front line, he could slot into the attack in a similar way to one of the best young players in world football , Rio Ngumoha, and that would set up potentially one of the most exciting attacking lineups in world football.

It would also allow the club to cut their losses on an underperforming Wirtz should his bad form continue, and not worry too much about replacing him or his productivity. It would be the perfect solution for all involved, and is something the club should be keeping a very close eye on.

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