2 weeks ago
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Florian Wirtz was named as the Man of the Match following Liverpool's victory on Wednesday, earning him a cash prize.
Wirtz, who completed a transfer from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool last month, was awarded ¥1,000,000 (around $6,700) for his excellent display against Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan. The Reds recovered from a goal down to end their tour of Asia with a 3-1 win.
After a goalless first half, Asahi Uenaka scored to give Yokohama a shock lead at the Nissan Stadium. Yet Wirtz equalized moments later to score his first goal for the Reds. Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha then found the net to secure the victory for Arne Slot's team.
Wirtz is under significant pressure to bring success to Liverpool after his record-breaking transfer. He's become the club's most expensive signing, with Liverpool agreeing a deal worth up to £116 million (around $154.6 million) with Leverkusen, including add-ons.
If those add-ons are met, that will be a British record transfer fee.
The 22-year-old arrives on Merseyside with a big reputation, having inspired Leverkusen to the club's first-ever Bundesliga championship in 2024. He also won the German Cup, German Super Cup, and Bundesliga Player of the Season award during his time at Leverkusen.
Wirtz was excellent for his former club in each of the last two seasons. He scored 18 goals and provided 20 assists in all competitions during the 2023-24 campaign. The following season, those figures were 16 and 15, respectively.
Liverpool and Wirtz will now return to Merseyside, where they'll face Athletic Bilbao in back-to-back friendlies on Monday.
His first chance of winning silverware for the Reds will come at Wembley on August 10, when they face Crystal Palace in the Community Shield.
Wirtz, who is yet to receive his Liverpool jersey number, outlined his ambition upon joining the club.
"I would like to win everything every year," he said. "First of all, we have to do our work. Last season they won the Premier League, so my goal is for sure to win it again and also to go further in the Champions League. I'm really ambitious.
"I'm really excited to have a new adventure in front of me. This was also a big point of my thoughts: that I want to have something completely new, to go out of the Bundesliga and to join the Premier League.
"I will see how I can perform there. I hope I can do my best.
"I spoke also with some players who played there, and they told me that it's perfect for me and every pitch is perfect, you can enjoy every game. I'm really looking forward to playing my first game."
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