Liverpool: Florian Wirtz reveals how first conversation with Arne Slot led to £116m move
Fresh start: Florian Wirtz has given his first interview as a Liverpool player (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Florian Wirtz has revealed how his first conversation with Arne Slot convinced him to make the move to Liverpool
The 22-year-old has completed his switch from Bayer Leverkusen for an initial £100m fee with a further £16m in add-ons, which if achieved will make it a British transfer record.
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Wirtz has signed a five-year contract and follows Jeremie Frimpong, who has been helping him learn English, in making the move from Leverkusen to Liverpool.
Speaking in his first interview since the transfer was made official, Wirtz was asked about the discussions he had with Slot when considering his future.
'The conversations were always really good,' Wirtz said.
'I can remember the first time, he already showed me some scenes of how we want to play and how I could fit in the team. He was just telling me that I'm a player he really wants to have in his team and can bring the team a step forward.
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'I just could imagine it [being] good to be in the team and to make it better because I have to make my performances every week – but I'm here for this.'
Wirtz said he hopes to bring 'joy' to the pitch in a Liverpool shirt and will be part of the side looking to defend their Premier League title next season.
The German international revealed he felt 'the size of the club' when Leverkusen were beaten at Anfield in the Champions League last season and he suggested he will need to make physical improvements to match his new team-mates.
'Yeah, this was also a big point for me: that I will improve my own personal level and physical levels because I think everyone knows that in Liverpool the players are machines – really strong and really physical,' Wirtz said.
'But I see this also as an opportunity for me to get better in this point so yeah, I just thought this was the right place for me.
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