Florian Wirtz’s first Liverpool goal against Wolves has lead to a key January transfer talking point, with the window ready to open on Thursday
Nico Schlotterbeck had Liverpool supporters all making the same January transfer plea after they spotted his latest social media interaction with Reds star Florian Wirtz. The Borussia Dortmund defender has previously been linked with an Anfield switch and stirred up the conversation yet again.
Schlotterbeck was one of thousands to congratulate Wirtz on his first strike since joining Liverpool in a £116m summer deal from Bayer Leverkusen. As it turned out, the midfielder’s finish was pivotal in the Reds beating Wolves 2-1 at Anfield on Saturday.
It was a man of the match performance from Wirtz, who posted a subtle message to Instagram afterwards. Replying in the comment section was Schlotterbeck, who posted a gif of his German national team colleague shrugging – one that was formerly used affectionately by Leverkusen supporters.
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The interaction itself can merely be described as one friend congratulating another for a major career milestone, but Reds fans took the opportunity to make their feelings known with the transfer window only a few days from opening again.
“Come to Liverpool,” was the overriding message sent to Schlotterbeck, 26, after his exchange with Wirtz.
The defender – who has more than 200 senior career appearances in Germany and 23 caps for his national team – has been linked with making the move from Dortmund to Liverpool in previous transfer windows.
Instead he has stayed put, though this only means time to provide a final answer over his long-term future is running out. Schlotterbeck’s contract at the Westfalenstadion is currently due to expire in 2027 with no hint towards a future extension as of yet.
“I have a contract at Dortmund for more than one-and-a-half-years. My agent and I are going to discuss my future, but we’re under no pressure,” he answered about any speculation in October 2025.
“I feel very good at Dortmund, and Niko (Kovac) has already shown a path here that is fun and exciting for the future. My next contract is very important for my career, so I really want to make the right decision.”
As to why Liverpool supporters would put forward such pleas to the player himself, he has become highly regarded as one of the Bundesliga’s quickest and most agile central defenders.
Also, midway through the 2025/26 campaign Arne Slot is down to just two senior options in the position as Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni are sidelined through injury. Of the two available options, Virgil van Dijk’s deal also expires in 2027, and Ibrahima Konate’s after the end of this current season.
Liverpool were denied signing their long-term target Marc Guehi on summer deadline day when Crystal Palace pulled the plug on a £35m agreement late into the evening.
He will become available for free in the summer, provided he does not sign terms with a rival before that point. Latest reports suggest the Palace captain will stay put during the January transfer window.
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