Debut at Anfield met with high acclaim and enthusiastic applause for Wirtz
Liverpool's New Prodigy Shines in Pre-Season
Florian Wirtz, a 15-year-old German prodigy, has made a promising start to his Liverpool FC career. The youngster, who was signed for a reported 150 million euros, made his Anfield debut in a friendly match against Spanish club Athletic Bilbao.
Wirtz played the final 75 minutes of the match, showcasing some promising attacking moves. His performance was met with a warm welcome and plenty of praise in the English press, with The Mirror and the Liverpool Echo highlighting his potential to be the focal point of Liverpool's attack.
Arne Slot, Liverpool's coach, commended Wirtz's creativity in the final third. The manager emphasized the freedom given to the youngster, allowing him to find and exploit key spaces on the pitch, which suits his playing style.
Wirtz himself acknowledges the intensity and physicality of the Premier League but expresses confidence and eagerness to adapt and contribute. He has a focus on both creating chances and defensive work, with composure under pressure and high passing accuracy standing out as key strengths.
The match ended in a 3:2 win for Liverpool FC, with Wirtz not scoring a goal in the friendly. However, he did impress notably by playing a false nine role against AC Milan during pre-season, demonstrating excellent touches and vision, including setting up Mohamed Salah for a potential assist[1]. His first goal for Liverpool came during the pre-season tour in Japan, helping secure a 3-1 win over Yokohama F. Marinos[5].
Slot is satisfied with the summer reinforcements at Liverpool, but he believes that the team needs to take the next step as their rivals won't stand still. The transfer of Wirtz to Liverpool FC is considered a marquee signing of the summer, and the English press has been quick to regard him as a "genuine star".
The transfer fee for Wirtz could reportedly rise to 150 million euros with bonus payments. Despite the record transfer fee, Wirtz reports no pressure from it, focusing instead on performance and team success.
In conclusion, Wirtz's performance for Liverpool FC in pre-season has been positively received, raising expectations ahead of the competitive season start. The youngster has shown signs of fitting well into Liverpool’s system, and fans and analysts are excited about his potential contribution to the team.
[1] Source: BBC Sport
[5] Source: Liverpool Echo
- Wirtz's impressive pre-season performances in the false nine role for Liverpool FC have led analysts to believe he could be the focal point of their attack in the competitive season.
- Despite his large transfer fee, Wirtz remains focused on his performance and team success, with his youthful talent and potential making him a "genuine star" in the English press.
