Liverpool club record signing Florian Wirtz has been speaking after his first Anfield appearance for the Reds on Monday evening
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool(Image: Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)
Long is the list of players for whom the weight of a club record transfer fee was simply too much to carry. For new Liverpool signing Florian Wirtz, though, there is no sense of any burden.
Quite the opposite, in fact. "I’m a player who needs freedom on the pitch and the manager gives that to me," says Wirtz. "Of course, I have to respect the position and the players around me. But I try to give me best on the pitch and find the right places. I have the freedom to do that."
There was further evidence of such an approach on Monday when, in the second of the friendly double-header against Athletic Bilbao, Wirtz impressed on his first Anfield appearance since a £116million arrival from Bayer Leverkusen in June.
Operating in the number 10 role, the 22-year-old again showed signs of an understanding with Mohamed Salah and twice came close to scoring during a lively first-half showing. The ovation afforded Wirtz on his substitution midway through the second half indicated the home support were suitably impressed.
“I will try to find the right places to be and the right spaces to get the ball, and to be dangerous and create chances," says the Germany international, speaking after Liverpool's 3-2 win. "I’ve not played a match in the Premier League yet, but I’m looking forward to it. That’s why I came here."
Of course, friendlies against Spanish and Japanese opposition - Wirtz netted against Yokohama F Marinos last Wednesday - don't quite compare to the intensity and physicality of the Premier League.
And asked if he expects it to be more difficult to play his usual game than back in the Bundesliga, Wirtz adds: “To be honest, I don’t know. I’m really looking forward to playing in the Premier League. There will of course be some differences from the German league but that’s something I can learn. It will make me better."
He has already been leaning on the experience of some of his new team-mates, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konate, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenbech all having previously played in Germany.
“They say (here) it is more intense, more physical," he says. "Every player is really strong and fast. That’s what everybody is telling me, so I’m aware of it."
Wirtz, though, isn't expecting a lengthy adaptation period and is confident in the vision sold to him by Liverpool boss Arne Slot.
“Yes, I came for that reason, because I could fit into this team," he adds. "I’m enjoying playing with these players. It’s getting every time a little bit better. I’m happy with how it’s going.
"I’m really enjoying the first weeks. Monday was the first time at Anfield also. I like it!"
And Wirtz is adamant his eye-watering transfer fee will have no influence. “I don’t think about this," he says. "I just want to play football. How much money the clubs pay between each other doesn’t matter."
Another big-money arrival from the Bundesliga, Hugo Ekitike, was also among six summer signings to make their Anfield bow on Monday following his initial £69m move from Eintracht Frankfurt.
“He’s a really good player," says Wirtz. "I enjoyed watching him at Frankfurt and I was really happy that he decided to come to us.
"In the training sessions already, they have gone well. In the game (on Monday) we had some combinations that were good. I’m happy that I can play with him.
“I think it’s good that we have a few new players who have come (to the club) at the same time, so we can connect a little bit and talk to each other about how we feel. It helps to come into the team."
Having romped to the Premier League title last season, Liverpool are looking to successfully defend a trophy for the first time since 1984 and retain the championship for only the sixth occasion in their history.
Wirtz knows all about the difficulty of such a task after being part of the Leverkusen side than won the title in 2024 but finished 13 points behind champions Bayern Munich last term.
“Of course, the big challenge is to take the title again," says Wirtz. "It’s the most difficult thing. I try just to create chances, also to work against the ball because I can also run a lot.
"I will try to bring that into the team. Then with the ball I hope I can make the team better and bring my team-mates into better situations.”