Debut at Anfield showered with accolades and applause for Wirtz
Florian Wirtz, the 22-year-old German prodigy, made his Anfield debut for Liverpool FC in the pre-season friendlies, and he's already making waves. The marquee signing of the summer, Wirtz showcased his versatility and creativity in a false nine role during his unofficial debut against Stoke City and the first official friendly against AC Milan.
In the friendly against AC Milan, Wirtz nearly assisted Mohamed Salah and demonstrated excellent touches and creativity in advanced attacking positions. He scored his first goal for Liverpool in a friendly match against Yokohama F. Marinos during the pre-season tour in Japan, helping the team to a 3-1 win.
The English press has been effusive in their praise, with The Mirror declaring Wirtz as clearly set to be the focal point of Liverpool's attack. The Liverpool Echo went a step further, stating that Wirtz is already a real star. The applause received by Wirtz at the start of the second half of the match against Athletic Bilbao showed that Liverpool's fan base, the Kop, is already convinced.
Wirtz's transfer fee could potentially rise to 150 million euros with bonus payments included. Despite not scoring a goal during the match against Athletic Bilbao, his creativity in the final third, as praised by Liverpool coach Arne Slot, has added a new dimension to Liverpool's attacking options.
Slot is satisfied with the summer reinforcements made by Liverpool FC. He acknowledged that their rivals aren't standing still and that Liverpool needs to take the next step to maintain their position at the top. Wirtz's performances in his debut appearances have been well received by both fans and the media, praising his technical ability, positional flexibility, and early contributions in friendlies.
Before joining Liverpool FC, Wirtz played for Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen. His impressive displays for Leverkusen caught the attention of big-name clubs like Bayern Munich, but Wirtz chose Liverpool as his next destination. The transfer marked a significant milestone in Wirtz's career, and he's off to a promising start in his new home.
[1] The Mirror, "Liverpool sign Florian Wirtz: The 22-year-old German prodigy set to be the focal point of Jurgen Klopp's attack," (2025, July 1)
[4] Liverpool FC Official Website, "Liverpool FC 3-1 Yokohama F. Marinos: Match Report," (2025, July 10)
[5] The Liverpool Echo, "Florian Wirtz scores first Liverpool goal in pre-season win over Yokohama F. Marinos," (2025, July 10)
- Florian Wirtz, the new signing at Liverpool FC, is already being hailed as the focal point of their attack, with The Mirror claiming he's set to make a significant impact on Jurgen Klopp's team.
- Despite not scoring in the European leagues yet, Wirtz's performance in the false nine role for Liverpool has been impressive, showcasing his versatility and creativity, as acknowledged by Liverpool coach Arne Slot.
