Florian Wirtz has spoken about how he has leant on Julian Nagelsmaan for advice this season, while a former Liverpool CEO has lamented two Anfield plans haven’t come to fruition.
Florian Wirtz opens up on support from Julian Nagelsmaan
Wirtz has grown as the season has progressed since signing from Bayer Leverkusen for over £116 million last summer.
His talent has never been doubted, but the 22-year-old wasn’t combining output with flair at the beginning of the campaign.
“It wasn’t an easy phase,” Wirtz told Sportschau about adapting to the Premier League.
Florian Wirtz (Germany 17) (Foto: osnapix/Marcus Hirnschal Alamy Stock Photo)
“It’s sometimes good that things don’t always go upwards, and that you experience a dip and grow stronger because of it.
“That’s how I see it now as well, it has made me a bit stronger. I had to overcome resistance and adapt. I had to learn to become stronger and hold onto the ball.
“The coach (Germany manager Nagelsmann) always supported me during the difficult phase after my move to Liverpool and always had an open ear for me.
“He gave me tips and reassured me. That has brought us closer together.”
LFC News: Konate rested, Slot “vindicated” & failed Anfield plans
3CTYD64 Wroclaw, Poland. 05th Sep, 2025. Hugo Ekitike of France seen during European World Cup Qualifiers 2026 football match between Ukraine and France at Stadium Wroclaw (Wroclaw). Final score Ukraine 0 : 2 France (Photo by Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News
• Ex-Liverpool CEO Peter Moore has lamented the club not introducing a young adult section in the Anfield Road Stand – he also spoke of how he planned to move away fans
• Ibrahima Konate was rested as Hugo Ekitike played half an hour off the bench in a 3-1 win for France over Colombia on Sunday night
• Giorgi Mamardashvili also played on Sunday, keeping a clean sheet for Georgia as they beat Lithuania 2-0 in a friendly
• Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha report that Liverpool have shown ‘intense interest’ in Luis Suarez – we’re talking about the prolific Sporting striker by the way!
• The Liverpool Echo Paul Gorst wrote that Arne Slot “privately felt vindicated” after dropping Mo Salah and going on a 13-match unbeaten run in the winter
More from This Is Anfield
Bill Shankly, Anfield. 1960s
Think you’ve heard everything about Bill Shankly? Think again.
Here, Sam Millne tells journalist John Keith‘s story of how the legendary Liverpool manager once resigned from his post, only to for the club to ignore him and return a few days later!
Football News: De Zerbi talks, VAR opposed & Everton to keep Moyes
BRIGHTON & HOVE, ENGLAND - Sunday, October 8, 2023: Brighton & Hove Albion's manager Roberto De Zerbi before the FA Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Liverpool FC at the American Express Community Stadium. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
• Tottenham are in “advanced talks” with Roberto de Zerbi for the manager to take over immediately (BBC Sport) – a five-year contract is in the offing
• Cardiff have had their damages claim for more than £100m, following the tragic death of Emiliano Sala, dismissed by a court in Nantes
• The Guardian report that Everton are planning to offer David Moyes a new contract at the end of the season – they could go ahead of us next weekend!
• A new survey has revealed that three in four fans of Premier League clubs oppose VAR – the league disagree with supporters, though
Liverpool FC: On this day
Liverpool team group, 1892: (back row of directors, l-r) J Dermott, B Bailey, S Cooper, FC Howarth, A Nisbet, H Cooper, C Gibson, HP Ellis, L Crosthwaite (middle row of players, l-r) John McCartney, Matt McQueen, captain Andrew Hannah, goalkeeper Billy McOwen, Duncan McLean, Douglas Dick, David Henderson, trainer F Whiteway (front row, l-r) Patrick Gordon, Malcolm McVean, Joe McQue, Jim McBride, John McKenna, President John Houlding, J Ramsay, Harry Bradshaw, Jimmy Stott, Hugh McQueen - EMPICS/EMPICS Sport
By Joanna Durkan
This is actually a very important day in the history of the club, as it was effectively when Liverpool Football Club was born in 1892.
John Houlding, along with William Barclay, John McKenna, and others, met at the Neptune Hotel in Clayton Square to draw up club rules.
The first rule, as per LFC History, was “that the club be called Liverpool Football Club and shall play under the Rules of the Football Association.”
A founding day, if you will, with the club not officially recognised until June 3.
It’s been quite the 134 years!