Following an all-action start to their Premier League season against Bournemouth, Liverpool will be raring to go against Newcastle United.
Although they were seen in pre-season and during the FA Community Shield, Arne Slot introduced a flurry of new signings to Liverpool fans at Anfield last Friday.
Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz made their home Liverpool debuts up top against Bournemouth, and there were also new faces in defence.
And although it looked like Antoine Semenyo was about to ruin Liverpool’s opening weekend plans, Federico Chiesa found a clutch goal from the bench.
Chiesa might now stay at Liverpool this summer, and whilst the likes of Wirtz settle in the Premier League, he might be vitally important.
Jamie Carragher says Florian Wirtz can be Liverpool’s Kevin De Bruyne
That being said, Jamie Carragher discussed Wirtz’s start to life on Sky Sports recently.
Wirtz wasn’t quite at his best against Bournemouth, but Carragher was still impressed by his ‘silky’ home debut in parts.
And when it came to what Wirtz could do in the future, Carragher thought Liverpool might have their very own Kevin De Bruyne on their hands.
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool looks on prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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Carragher said: “I think Liverpool getting that deal done was fantastic (signing Wirtz).
“He came off on Friday night and probably wasn’t at his absolute best, but even so, he still showed some silky, lovely touches – there’s just something special when you watch him play.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how he performs next weekend. I’m already imagining the Liverpool team next Monday. He might actually play as a false nine, or Liverpool might go with a striker alongside him.
“With Kevin De Bruyne leaving, we needed a superstar in that kind of position in the league, and I think he could be that player to watch.”
Florian Wirtz will face a big test against Newcastle’s physical midfield
Along with Carragher, Liverpool fans will now be hotly anticipating next weekend’s clash with Newcastle United.
The ‘Alexander Isak Derby’ won’t actually feature the striker – he’s still waiting to get his move to Anfield.
But the game will be interesting from the point of view of seeing how Wirtz copes against Newcastle’s physical midfield.
Joelinton is now one of the Premier League’s best in the middle, and Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes are no slouches either.
Although there might be a temptation to play Wirtz on the left or as a false nine, it seems most likely that the German will continue as the number 10.
And perhaps buoyed by their Isak frustrations, the home crowd at St James’ Park won’t be giving any Liverpool player an easy ride.