2 weeks ago
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Virgil van Dijk spoke to Florian Wirtz on the phone to persuade the exciting German talent to sign for Liverpool, telling him: "Liverpool is the place to be."
Wirtz joined the Reds on a long-term contract earlier this summer after a deal worth up to £116 million ($156 million) with add-ons was agreed with Bayer Leverkusen. If Liverpool end up paying £116 million for the 22-year-old, it will be a British record transfer fee.
It's believed several clubs, including Bayern Munich and Manchester City, were interested in signing Wirtz this summer, but the attacking midfielder had his heart set on Liverpool. And a phone call with club captain Van Dijk helped seal the deal.
Speaking to The Athletic, Van Dijk said: "When I joined the club, I said, 'I don’t think there’s a better place to be than Liverpool.' I really feel that way. "We had a fantastic season, and I feel like this can only become better.
"When Florian spoke to the club and certain players, I spoke to him as well, a little bit, I’m sure he got a feel for it, and then he made a decision.
"Coming here, he can really make a big impact, in my opinion. It’s also down to him in terms of showing it every single day. He’s getting there, and it’s good to see."
Van Dijk, who was speaking during the club's preseason tour of Asia, was then asked what he said to Wirtz on the phone. He replied: "Ah, you want to know that! I spoke to him.
"When that was is between me and him. But I said to him, 'Liverpool is the place to be.'"
Wirtz arrives on Merseyside with a big reputation after a stellar career in his homeland. The German was Leverkusen's talisman as the club clinched its maiden Bundesliga title under Xabi Alonso in 2024, earning him the Bundesliga Player of the Season award.
Wirtz scored 18 goals and provided 20 assists in all competitions that season, helping Leverkusen also win the German Cup and reach the Europa League final, where it lost to Atalanta.
He backed up those figures last season by scoring 16 goals and providing 15 assists, proving he's not a one-season wonder. Liverpool supporters now expect Wirtz to be just as influential on Merseyside.
His first chance to impress his new fans is in preseason, with the Reds currently playing in Asia. Arne Slot's players are next in action on Saturday when they take on AC Milan in Hong Kong, 20 years after beating the Italians in a memorable Champions League final.
Liverpool will then play Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan on Wednesday before returning to Anfield for back-to-back friendlies against Athletic Bilbao on August 4.
Wirtz's first chance to win silverware is on August 10 when Liverpool faces FA Cup winner Crystal Palace in the Community Shield.
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