Florian Wirtz insists his status as the most expensive player in British football is not important to him, having joined Liverpool as they are the right fit for him.
Liverpool broke the British transfer record when they agreed a £116 million deal with Bayer Leverkusen for Wirtz, who has immediately become one of Arne Slot‘s key players.
Stationed in a central attacking role in Monday’s 3-2 friendly win over Athletic Club, the 22-year-old showcased his creative ability as well as his awareness in getting on the end of chances.
It continued an impressive run of performances in pre-season and will hopefully allow Wirtz to hit the ground running when the campaign begins proper.
There will be big expectations around Liverpool’s new No. 7, particularly from those outside the club, but from his perspective that lofty price tag is not an issue.
“No, I don’t think about this, I just want to play football,” he told reporters including This Is Anfield‘s Sam Millne.
“How much money the clubs pay between each other, it doesn’t matter.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Speaking to the assembled press in the mixed zone at Anfield, Wirtz discussed his swift adjustment to the demands of Arne Slot‘s system and his first impressions.
“I came because I thought I can fit in this team and I can,” he explained.
“It’s getting every time a little bit better and yeah, so I’m happy with how it’s going.”
Asked about responsibility Slot gives him in the No. 10 role and what he expects in the Premier League, Wirtz replied: “I think I’m a player who needs freedom on the pitch and the manager gives it to me.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“Of course, I have to respect the position and the players around me, but I try to give my best on the pitch and find the right places and I have the freedom for this.
“I will try to find the right places to be and the right spaces to get the ball and be dangerous and create chances.
“So yeah, I’ve not played a match in the Premier League, but I’m looking forward to it. That’s why I came.”
The Germany international arrives at a time of considerable change in Liverpool’s first team, not least in attack with Hugo Ekitike also arriving from the Bundesliga as a £79 million signing from Eintracht Frankfurt.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Once rivals, now teammates, Wirtz is looking forward to developing an understanding with the Frenchman as part of Slot’s new-look forward line.
“He’s a really good player,” he said of Ekitike.
“I enjoyed to watch him at Frankfurt and I was really happy that he decided to come to us and, yeah, the training sessions already went well.
“Also today in the game, we had some combinations that were good. I’m really happy that I can play with him.”
As one of seven new arrivals so far, Wirtz added: “I think it’s good that we have a few players that come on the same time, so we can connect a little bit and talk to each other about how we feel.”