Bayer Leverkusen has shown its class by paying tribute to Florian Wirtz ahead of his record-breaking move to Liverpool.
Wirtz has arrived on Merseyside to be unveiled as a Liverpool player. It's believed he's completed his medical after flying to the UK, with the Reds agreeing a £116 million ($157 million) deal with Leverkusen for the exciting German attacking midfielder.
Liverpool will pay Leverkusen £100 million ($134.9 million) up front, with the rest of that cash coming in performance-related add-ons. If the Reds end up paying $157 million for Wirtz, which they'll hope to do, it will set a new British record transfer fee.
Before Wirtz's transfer was officially confirmed, Leverkusen made a classy move by posting a short clip on its X account with the caption: "He's very good."
In the clip, Wirtz receives the ball with his back to goal, around 45 yards out. He flicks the ball of his right heel before turning his marker with ease and playing an effortless first-time ball into the path of Jeremie Frimpong, of all players.
Like Writz, right-back Frimpong has also made the move from Leverkusen to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has left Liverpool for Real Madrid. Leverkusen's clip of Wirtz and Frimpong is a sneak preview of what Reds fans can expect next season.
Wirtz arrives on Merseyside having played 197 games for Leverkusen. The 31-cap Germany international is a two-time Bundesliga Player of the Year and helped Leverkusen win its first-ever league title in 2024, as well as the German Cup and German Super Cup.
Liverpool legend John Aldridge is among those excited to see Wirtz play for the Reds.
"We've known for some time what a prospect he is," Aldridge told BBC Radio 5 Live. "And he's shown he's well adept in the Bundesliga, and he's got massive potential to do the same in the Premier League. It's a bit tougher, but he's a special talent.
"He's a bit flamboyant and can get himself out of tricky situations, but he's very game as well, and he doesn't shy away from any tackles.
"He's very creative and he's got an eye for a goal, which are all the trademarks of exactly what we need to make us a better team.
"It gives the manager options because he is very flexible. He can play in a few positions, and he can actually play as a centre-forward, like a Roberto Firmino type.
"He could play there at a push, but I don't think we've actually bought him for that - the flexibility he will give us in midfield will be excellent."
Liverpool is also closing in on signing Milos Kerkez, having reached a $54 million agreement with Bournemouth for the left-back.