3 days ago
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Steve McManaman has said that one of Liverpool’s six senior summer arrivals particularly excites him ahead of the new season.
It has been a busy summer at Anfield in terms of incomings, with Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike all joining the Premier League champions. With the recent departures of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, and the expected exits of Kostas Tsimikas and Federico Chiesa, more arrivals could follow.
But none will eclipse Florian Wirtz in terms of expectation in the eyes of most fans, and McManaman, the Reds’ former midfielder. Speaking before Sunday’s Community Shield, the 53-year-old explained why he feels the signing of Wirtz was particularly significant for Liverpool.
“I think that the business was done early and the big one, Florian Wirtz, there was talk about it before the season finished and there was a lot of interest from Liverpool,” he told TNT Sports.
“All the Liverpool fans were very excited by the name, of course they were. Suddenly, Bayern Munich are interested, and the big thing was, could Liverpool actually do the deal?
“The fact that they did, and the player he is, and he’s young and dynamic, and he’s tricky… the way he plays football is the way I love to see people play football.
“I think he is the most exciting one. Ekitike, Frimping and Kerkez are brilliant additions, but Floian is the one that adds that little bit of spice to it all.”
Wirtz was one of four players handed a debut by Slot at Wembley on Sunday along with Frimpong Kerkez and Ekitike. The latter linked well with Wirtz in Monday’s friendly against Athletic Bilbao and has expected to operate in a no.10 role this term.
But Slot has also referenced the former Bayer Leverkusen star’s versatility and ability to play as part of a front three.
Wirtz was named as Germany's Player of the Year on Sunday and earlier this week was included in the nominees for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
Speaking ahead of the Community Shield, Kerkez also explained how impressed he has been with the new summer signing.
“Obviously he [Wirtz] is very talented. All the guys know because everyone watches him in the Bundesliga. He's a special player,” said the Hungary international.
"He's really technically gifted. I don't see that level too much or too often but he does special things - maybe too much in a single training session - but also in a game.
"But yes, Wirtz is really talented. If you give him one or two meters, he's going to get you. Just the vision of the passes is special. You can only see it in previous pre-season games. He will be a great addition to this club."
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