On Saturday afternoon, Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten run in all competitions this season nearly came crashing down at home to Hoffenheim. Yet again, a late flurry of goals saw Die Werkself run away with a 2-1 victory, extending their lead to 13 points over Bayern Munich; however, the unsuspecting Hoffenheim almost caused a significant upset.
If the visitors were to have achieved what now appears to be the impossible, they would have had 21-year-old future prospect Maximilian Beier to thank. While to many in the Bundesliga and Germany, Beier’s talents are well known, to outsiders, his quick feet and sharp shooting remain an untold secret.
Despite being called up to the German national team by Julian Nagelsmann in the most recent round of international friendlies, Beier failed to feature. Nevertheless, in the Bundesliga for Hoffenheim, he is quite simply undroppable.
With 13 goals so far this season, only four other players have registered more strikes in a single season for Hoffenheim since their promotion to the Bundesliga in 2008. Mark Uth, Roberto Firmino, Vedad Ibišević, and Andrej Kramarić are the four currently sat above the 21-year-old.
However, Uth’s tally of 14 goals during the 2017/18 campaign is dangerously close to being broken, while Firmino’s 16 strikes from the 2013/14 season is certainly a target for Beier. Nonetheless, Beier undeniably is the most exciting talent to come out of Hoffenheim since the Brazilian.
With seven assists so far this season as well, Beier remains just five away from Firmino’s record of 12 assists, also achieved during the 2013/14 campaign. While the 21-year-old may not be as dazzling as the former Liverpool forward with the ball at his feet, his fist touch, composure, and link-up play with those around him can lead to one reminiscing about Firmino’s Bundesliga exploits.
As well as this, Liverpool are one of the many sides ready to pounce on the 21-year-old at the end of the campaign. With seven games remaining for Beier to make Hoffenheim history, if he is to replicate Firmino’s wonderful season from a decade ago, then he too could soon become a Liverpool legend, just like the breathtaking Brazilian.
GGFN | Will Shopland
