Richard Hughes’ biggest mistake was to not sign £30m superstar

Liverpool had eyes only for Florian Wirtz as their new attacking centre-piece over the summer.

And with good reason too. The 22-year-old playmaker had been instrumental in Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen team - helping the Werkself to an unbeaten league and cup double in 2024.

Wirtz by last summer was the finished article - young on paper but the experience and accolades that demanded a top-dollar fee.

And so Richard Hughes had to pay £100m for the Germany international - a sum which could rise to £116m based on add–ons.

Liverpool beat out competition for Wirtz from both Real Madrid - whose new manager was Alonso - as well as Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. He agreed a five-year contract at Anfield - and picked up the legendary No7 shirt.

Arne Slot ignores Cherki for Wirtz

Expectations have been set justifiably high for Wirtz - owing to his price tag and reputation before arriving on Merseyside. Right now however and we have to be honest and say he hasn’t matched those expectations.

Without a goal so far - Wirtz has already played 21 times for the Reds. Liverpool fans have been optimistic about his signing - pointing to underlying statistical data or else to glimpses he’s shown in matches as evidence that he’ll come good.

And given the scale of the investment Hughes and Slot better hope he does.

And to compound the frustration felt over Wirtz’s signing - a player that Liverpool passed over to sign him seems to be getting better and better with every passing day.

“Liverpool boss Arne Slot flew to south of France last week for talks with Rayan Cherki - honouring meeting scheduled before Florian Wirtz chase accelerated,” David Ornstein tweeted over the summer.

Cherki available for knockdown fee

Based on how the first few months have gone for both men - this might come to be regarded as the wrong choice.

Given Lyon’s financial plight the jewel of their highly regarded academy was available for an initial fee of around £30m. And after Liverpool gave up their chance at signing the 22-year-old, Manchester City pounced.

Cherki didn’t look a perfect fit for Pep Guardiola - given the Catalan’s reluctance to indulge in any kind of individualism. But the France international has succeeded where Wirtz has so far failed - carving himself out a role in the toughest of environments.

Cherki settles quicker than Wirtz

He has given City supporters some breathtaking moments - the most recent example coming against Brentford in the EFL Cup. And his assist against Sunderland a couple of weekends back was so good that even Guardiola requested that he tone it down.

Analysts don’t have to search for clues of greatness in Cherki’s performances - it’s right there in front of them. He’s got to four goals and seven assists overall for his new clubs in only nine starts.

In minutes, the schemer has played approximately half of what Wirtz has.

Cherki has suffered from some injury problems and Pep has used him sparingly at the outset of his City career. But he is beginning to sparkle in a way that Liverpool recruiters thought he might when they put the feelers out over his signing last summer.

He is EASILY eclipsing Wirtz right now - despite costing initially £70m less.

Cherki better value than Wirtz

Liverpool better be sure they got the right one - but right now Cherki looks like the one that got away. Wirtz has been tried at No10 as well as on the left and the right - and has even had to settle for a place on the bench.

Slot was content to clear the decks to make way for his arrival - shunting Dominik Szoboszlai out of position in order to get him into the team.

But the Merseysiders are still searching for the formula to get the best out of Wirtz - and in turn - the best out of their entire attacking configuration.

Cherki by contrast has demonstrated his grit and adaptability by getting to work for Guardiola and if he continues to perform in the manner he has done in the past few games then he will go down as the bargain of the century.

Liverpool may well think they got the better player in the end - but there is little doubt right now who’s got the better deal.

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