Granit Xhaka has already expressed his hope that Florian Wirtz has an off night on Wednesday when Liverpool hosts Sunderland.
The pair are well acquainted from their time at Bayer Leverkusen, where they played instrumental roles in the team’s 2024 Bundesliga triumph. Both swapped Germany for the Premier League last summer, but somewhat surprisingly, it’s Xhaka, who cost around 10 percent of the fee Liverpool paid for Wirtz, who has had a more immediate impact this season.
He has been a stalwart in a Sunderland side that currently finds itself sixth in the Premier League table and is, incredibly, a point clear of the reigning champions. Xhaka has played every single minute for the Black Cats this term and has provided a goal and four assists.
In contrast, Wirtz is still searching for his first Premier League goal involvement since his summer switch to Anfield. But Xhaka has backed his former teammate to succeed at Liverpool.
"Flo Wirtz, I had the joy to be with him for three years. A lot of English people will enjoy him, he was unbelievable, not just with the ball but the work off the ball," the ex-Arsenal man told Sky Sports in October.
"I didn't see many no.10s on his level with or without the ball. To be his age, 20, 21, have this mentality, putting in work day-by-day before training, after training, being angry if he doesn't win a training session, this is Florian Wirtz.
"I know how much he can bring to the Premier League, hopefully not against us but the rest of the year. I wish him the best because he deserves it."
Granit Xhaka and Florian Wirtz are seen after the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart at BayArena on November 1, 2024
Xhaka and Wirtz led Leverkusen to a league title (Image: Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Wirtz put in his best Premier League display of the season in Sunday’s 2-0 win over West Ham United.
The German created repeated openings from a no.10 role, while he habitually pushed further onto the left-hand side of the pitch.
He earned praise from Arne Slot and Jamie Carragher after the crucial victory at the London Stadium, while Virgil van Dijk has urged Liverpool’s no.7 to build on that against Sunderland.
"I think today he showed his quality," said the Liverpool skipper. "With and without the ball, I’m pleased for him and pleased for all of us. It’s only one game so we have to keep going, getting results and keep going."