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Florian Wirtz rejected Bayern Munich in favor of Liverpool this summer, and his former Bayer Leverkusen teammate Jonathan Tah, who did move to the Allianz Arena, has been asked whether he tried to convince him to move with him.
The pair, who won the Bundesliga in 2023/24 together under Xabi Alonso, were two of the key men that Leverkusen lost this summer. Alonso moved to Real Madrid, of course, and Liverpool triggered Jeremie Frimpong's release clause in addition to snapping up Wirtz.
Tah was available on a free transfer and was brought in by Bayern Munich in time to feature at the Club World Cup. The German giant was the assumed next destination for Wirtz at one stage before he was swayed by the Liverpool pitch.
"I don't want to give too much away," Tah told Kicker. "Maybe he was also courting me at times because I wasn't sure what was next either. We both made our decision. That's good. That's exactly how it should be."
Liverpool could pay up to $158 million (£116 million) for Wirtz if all of the add-ons included in the deal are triggered, while the initial fee is the first time that the Reds have committed more than £100 million on one player.
"I think [Wirtz] did well," Van Dijk told reporters after his side's 4-2 win over Bournemouth at Anfield. The Germany playmaker was making his first competitive home appearance for the Reds, and his Premier League debut.
"I think he was quite tired towards the end, so that says a lot about the intensity of the Premier League," Van Dijk added.
"But I think he is an incredible talent, he is so good on the ball, a great dribbler, he has settled in nicely, and there is a lot to come in my eyes.
"There is still hard work for him to do, but that is part of being a Liverpool player and the pressure that comes with it. But I'm pretty confident he will be absolutely fine."
After facing Athletic Club in his first appearance at Anfield as a Liverpool player, Wirtz played down the weight of the price tag that is attached to his name.
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"No, I don’t think about it," Wirtz insisted. "I just want to play football. How much money the clubs pay between each other, it doesn’t matter.
"I think I am a player who needs freedom on the pitch and the manager gives it to me. I have to respect the position and the players around me, try to give my best on the pitch, and find the right places. I have the freedom.
"I will try to find the right places to be and the right spaces to get the ball and to be dangerous and create chances. I have not played a match in the Premier League, but I am looking forward to it, and that is why I came.
"There will be some differences from Germany, but I think there is also something I can learn to make me better, so I am really looking forward to it."
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