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Florian Wirtz concedes that his move to Liverpool took him out of his comfort zone, but the German sensation is confident that joining the Reds will propel him toward becoming one of the world's top soccer players.
The 22-year-old broke the mould of many Bundesliga players by rejecting a transfer to Bayern Munich when he departed Bayer Leverkusen this summer, instead choosing a fresh challenge at Anfield. Bayern was under the impression that it was in pole position to sign the player, who was voted Germany's best in the last two seasons.
Bayern was left gobsmacked when Wirtz spurned its offer in favor of a move to the Premier League.
In an interview with German magazine Kicker, relayed by Sky Sports Germany, Wirtz acknowledges he has taken the path less trodden, but he's certain he's made the right choice.
"Just like five years ago, when I left Cologne for Leverkusen at 16, I was looking for where I could best develop my football skills and where I could become the most successful player," said Wirtz.
"That's why I chose Liverpool – and I haven't regretted it yet."
Expanding on his decision to pick Liverpool over Bayern, he added: "I've already looked into both clubs very intensively, and in the end, it wasn't an easy decision.
"But I made it with 100 percent conviction, and I'm happy about it."
Wirtz caught the eye in preseason, notably during a 3-2 victory over Athletic Bilbao at Anfield, and made his Premier League debut in Liverpool's 4-2 win against Bournemouth on the season's opening night; he's also set to play when the Reds visit Newcastle on Monday.
Discussing his move to the Premier League, he remarked it was "the more difficult step to leave that whole environment [Germany] and go to another country with all the changes. And to a new league with a different style of play."
He added: "I would definitely say that it's a bigger challenge, one I consciously chose to overcome and become a better player.
"Of course, the fans expect a bit more than when the club signs a player for little money.
"But I'm not putting any pressure on myself; I'm just trying to do my best, no matter how much money I'm signed for.
"That's the way it is now and it will always be that way."
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