'Liverpool has a new Philippe Coutinho and I love watching him'

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On any other weekend, Everton's inaugural match at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium against Brighton on Sunday would be the must-see fixture.

Or perhaps Selhurst Park, with Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest having developed some serious animosity during the summer. Neither, though, will generate quite the same intrigue or spotlight as Monday evening's encounter when Liverpool journey to the North East to face Newcastle United.

The continuing saga surrounding Alexander Isak - Liverpool is keen to secure the striker with Newcastle beginning to soften their stance on refusing to sell a player who has lost faith in the club's ownership this summer - means a hostile reception awaits the Reds.

It will provide another challenging test for Liverpool's array of new signings - and a further examination of how attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz can adjust to the frenetic pace of Premier League football.

Having faced Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, the £116 million ($157 million) club record acquisition has already encountered two of the division's most combative sides.

Newcastle, however, has established a long-standing reputation for intimidating visiting teams with little punishment and, with players like Joelinton spearheading the battle, utilized that approach effectively to defeat Liverpool in the League Cup final back in March.

But former Reds favorite Danny Murphy remains confident there will be no long-term concerns for Wirtz.

Florian Wirtz of Liverpool looks on during the 2025 FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on August 10, 2025 in London, England.

Danny Murphy has high hopes for Florian Wirtz

"He looks brave, I don't think he'll worry about making mistakes," says Murphy. "He's as fit as a butcher's dog, his stats are impressive when it comes to covering the pitch. People often mention the physicality of the Premier League but I don't see that as a problem for him.

"I believe he'll have a tremendous impact on the club, I genuinely think he's that good. It's just about not expecting too much too quickly. He just needs a bit of time to understand the players around him."

Wirtz netted 57 goals and set up 65 more in 197 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen before making the move to Anfield, and already has one assist to his name after setting up Hugo Ekitike to score the first goal in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace at Wembley.

When asked what he expects from the 22-year-old, Murphy doesn't hold back.

"I'm anticipating goals and assists, plain and simple," he tells the ECHO exclusively while representing NewBettingSites.uk. "His stats were impressive in the Bundesliga. He has this incredible ability to visualise plays quickly that others can't.

"That's not something I think can be taught. It's just a natural instinct to make things happen.

"For me, it's an extraordinary signing. You could argue it's a lot of money for someone who's only had a couple of great seasons in the Bundesliga, but considering the amount being spent on players in other positions these days, it was inevitable Liverpool would eventually break that $135M barrier."

Murphy is of the opinion that Wirtz could bring a unique element to Liverpool's squad, something not seen since the early days of Jurgen Klopp's reign.

"He could be a game-changer for Liverpool," he suggests. "We haven't had a player like him probably since Philippe Coutinho. Then Klopp changed the dynamic and brought three athletic players into the middle of the pitch.

"Even last season, Dominik Szoboszlai or Curtis Jones in that role are more midfielders playing as a number 10. Wirtz is more of a forward playing there. It's a new style of player to have in the club, but I'm so excited.

"I love watching him already. I know some people say he was underwhelming on the opening day, but there were still glimpses and the game against Palace there was the link up with Ekitike and things like that.

"Fans are going to really enjoy watching him. And also the fact he's taken the number seven shirt, so he's got to be good!".

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