Florian Wirtz reveals how Jeremie Frimpong taught him to speak English
Florian Wirtz says that Jeremie Frimpong is responsible for helping him speak English more fluently ahead of his move to Liverpool.
The German playmaker has joined the Reds from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth up to £116 million, including £16m in potential add-ons.
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Wirtz spoke perfect English in his first sit-down interview with the club, detailing his excitement at joining Liverpool and his goals for the future.
Florian Wirtz reveals how Jeremie Frimpong taught him to speak English
Frimpong, who was born in the Netherlands but spent most of his youth in Manchester, has also swapped Leverkusen for Anfield this summer. The pair developed a close bond as they sat next to each other in the dressing room, which helped Wirtz improve his language skills.
When asked if Frimpong was responsible for teaching him English, he replied: 'Yes, he was my neighbour in the changing room, he sat directly next to me and I had to speak English with him.
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'After I finished my school, I didn't speak really good English but he was teaching me a lot and making me speak in more English and better English.'
The 22-year-old is delighted to be reunited with Frimpong at the Premier League club after the wing-back completed a £29.5m transfer last month.
'I think it's a really nice thing that we can play together again at a new club, at maybe a bigger club, and make the move together. I'm really looking forward to standing on the pitch with him again.'
It remains to be seen whether Frimpong can help Wirtz perfect the scouse accent, though.
Wirtz added: 'I played, I think, three or four years with him. He's a really good player, a really good person, a really funny guy. Good for every changing room and also on the pitch, big qualities to attack and to defend.
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'He was then the first one who signed with Liverpool and of course he wanted me to join as well. But I think I made my decision by my own, but it was maybe a small part that convinced me in the end as well.'
Read – Every footballer signed for £100m as Wirtz joins Liverpool
See Also – The most expensive sales in Bundesliga history
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