Florian Wirtz has been playing alongside a player watched by Liverpool while away on international duty with Germany this week.
The Reds have been told why Wirtz is a different player for his country after he stole the show in a 4-3 win over Switzerland on Friday evening.
But while the Liverpool ace has earned the plaudits post-match, Lennart Karl has also become a talking point after he made his senior debut for the national team.
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Arne Slot reacts with frustration during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League last-16 second-leg match against Galatasaray at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Carl Recine).
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Florian Wirtz praises Liverpool target Lennart Karl
Reports emerged last month that Liverpool are doing regular checks on Karl, along with a number of other top sides such as Manchester City and Arsenal.
The teenager is currently on the books of Bayern Munich until 2029, and has so far provided eight goal contributions in 23 Bundesliga games this term.
Now, after he featured in the victory over Switzerland, the 18-year-old has come in for high praise from Wirtz.
As per Kicker, he said: “Very good. I saw him [Karl] in training for the first time this week, top player, it’s a lot of fun playing with him.
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“We don’t want to put too much pressure on him yet. He’s going to bring us so much joy over the next few years. Such a good footballer. So just enjoy that he’s German and that he can help us.”
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Florian Wirtz during Liverpool v Leeds United - Premier League
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Florian Wirtz is rivalling Kai Havertz in impressive stat for Germany
While Karl might be a talent for the future, Wirtz is more than proving his quality for both club and country in the present day.
Liverpool plan to build around the German, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak once Mohamed Salah is gone.
Meanwhile, after scoring two and assisting two on Friday, the Liverpool star has now secured 21 goal contributions for his country since his debut back in September 2021.
No player is able to beat that tally, with Arsenal’s Kai Havertz also on the same total.
Florian Wirtz: 21 (10G, 11A)
Kai Havertz: 21 (15G, 6A)
Joshua Kimmich:18 (7G, 11A)
Germany and Wirtz are back in international action on March 30 against Ghana.
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