Debut at Anfield draws widespread acclaim for Wirtz
Liverpool FC's New Signing Florian Wirtz Shines in Pre-Season Friendlies
Florian Wirtz, the 22-year-old German prodigy, made a promising start to his Liverpool FC career during the pre-season friendlies. The £116 million signing from Bayer Leverkusen, a British record fee, debuted at Anfield in a friendly match against Athletic Bilbao, contributing to a 3:2 win for the Reds.
Wirtz's impact was immediately noticeable, as he became the focal point of Liverpool's attack. His technical skill and positional versatility were on display throughout the match, with some impressive attacking moves that earned him applause from the Kop during a corner.
The English press gave a warm welcome and plenty of praise to Wirtz during his Anfield debut. The Liverpool Echo noted that he is already a real star, based on the signs shown during pre-season, and that the Kop is already convinced by his performance against Athletic Bilbao. The Mirror described him as the focal point of Liverpool's attack during his debut match.
Arne Slot, Liverpool's coach, praised Wirtz's creativity in the final third and expressed satisfaction with the summer reinforcements at the club. He acknowledged that Liverpool needs to take the next step because their rivals aren't standing still.
Wirtz's transfer fee could reportedly reach up to 150 million euros, with bonus payments included, making it the most expensive transfer in the club's history. Despite the pressure of his transfer fee, Wirtz states that it does not affect his focus and that he is enjoying playing with his new teammates and improving his game.
Wirtz scored his first goal for Liverpool in a pre-season friendly against Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan and has impressed with his creativity and playmaking in other friendlies, including a notable performance as a false nine against AC Milan in Hong Kong. However, he was unable to score a goal during the friendly match against Athletic Bilbao.
As of early August 2025, Wirtz's impact at Liverpool FC after his Anfield debut has been primarily from pre-season and friendly matches, as he has yet to make his official Premier League debut. Nevertheless, he has shown potential to become a key creative force for Liverpool, with competitive Premier League impact expected to begin with the 2025-26 season kickoff.
The transfer of Wirtz to Liverpool FC is considered a marquee signing of the summer, with Wirtz facing notable competition from Bayern Munich during the transfer process. Wirtz's performances so far demonstrate his readiness to make an impact for the team and help Liverpool retain their title.
[1] The Liverpool Echo, "Florian Wirtz transfer: Liverpool FC sign Germany international from Bayer Leverkusen for British-record fee," 1 July 2025.
[2] The Mirror, "Florian Wirtz transfer: Liverpool FC close to £116m deal for Bayer Leverkusen star," 30 June 2025.
[3] BBC Sport, "Florian Wirtz: Liverpool FC sign Germany international from Bayer Leverkusen," 1 July 2025.
[4] Goal, "Liverpool FC confirm Florian Wirtz signing from Bayer Leverkusen," 1 July 2025.
[5] Sky Sports, "Florian Wirtz: Liverpool FC sign Germany international from Bayer Leverkusen for British-record fee," 1 July 2025.
Florian Wirtz's impressive performances during pre-season friendlies suggest he could be a key player in the upcoming European-leagues, specifically the Premier League with Liverpool FC. His £116 million transfer from Bayer Leverkusen, a Britishrecord fee, has marked him as a valuable asset in the soccer world, potentially contributing to Liverpool's efforts to retain their title in the Premier League.
