The excitement at Anfield Road is already huge just a few days before the start of the competitive season. Coach Arne Slot is delighted with the high-profile new signings – one of whom stands out in particular among the fan base and in the English press: Florian Wirtz.
Liverpool FC won the Premier League title last season with a ten-point lead, the Reds securing four more wins than any other team. Resting on their laurels was not an option this summer, however. “In everything you do, you have to take the next step,” coach Arne Slot warned on Monday evening, “because our competitors aren’t just sitting around either.”
The Reds’ management clearly took this mantra to heart. The two most expensive Premier League signings of the summer will play for Liverpool in the future. The 20-time champions have completed a total of three transfers for a transfer fee of at least €45 million, plus Jeremie Frimpong, who cost between €35 and €40 million. In this respect, the competition cannot keep up.
All four – Florian Wirtz (including bonuses of up to €150 million), Hugo Ekitiké (up to €95 million), Milos Kerkez (just under €47 million) and Frimpong – were in the starting line-up on Monday, as was new keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, in the second game of the double test against Athletic Bilbao (3-2). Wirtz, in particular, seems to have made a lot of friends in his short time on the island.
Wirtz: “Exciting highlights” and “already a real star”
The 22-year-old missed two chances to score – with a header in the 7th minute and a shot off the shin in the 15th minute – but was still celebrated frenetically by the home fans, for example during a corner kick directly in front of The Kop and when he was substituted in the 74th minute. “The applause,” wrote the Liverpool Echo afterwards, “shows that The Kop is already convinced.” In addition to the fan curve, the local daily newspaper also joined in the jubilation about the German international: “Wirtz is only 22 years old, but already a real star. The results of the preseason indicate that he will be ready to take off.”
This was not the only praise in the English press. “You can’t take your eyes off Florian Wirtz,” said the Mirror, for example. Some players are simply “different,” and Wirtz is one of them: “The German is clearly becoming the focal point of Liverpool’s attacking strategy.” The BBC praised the German’s “some exciting touches with great ball control.”
New “weapons” for Slots Offensive
Ultimately, coach Slot was also satisfied with the performance of his new signing, as was Ekitiké, who set up Mohamed Salah’s opening goal. “We’ve gained a few extra weapons. Florian brings a lot of creativity to the final third,” said the 46-year-old.
The dress rehearsal before the start of the competitive season was therefore a success. Before the new Premier League season kicks off at Anfield Road against Bournemouth on August 15, Liverpool will be looking to win their first title of the season in the Community Shield against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace this coming Sunday. Incidentally, the most expensive new signing for coach Oliver Glasner’s team this summer was former Stuttgart player Borna Sosa, who joined for €2.3 million.
