Bayern Munich icon issues Florian Wirtz defence as Liverpool prediction made after £116m transfer

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Florian Wirtz during Germany's defeat to Slovakia.(Image: (Markus Gilliar - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images))

Bayern Munich great Lothar Matthaus has thrown his support behind Florian Wirtz and backed his compatriot to shine at Liverpool.

The Reds confirmed back in June that they had completed the signing of the 22-year-old from Bayer Leverkusen.

The deal includes a guaranteed £100million for Leverkusen and a further £16million in add-ons.



And although he has featured in all three of Liverpool's Premier League games so far this season, he is yet to register an assist or goal.

Meanwhile, the attacker also found himself in the firing line in the German media after Germany were beaten 2-0 by Slovakia on Thursday night.

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But Matthaus, who made a big money move of his own to Inter Milan back in 1998, believes Wirtz will be able to adapt to life in the Premier League and handle the pressure that he is under.

"That's normal after such a big move abroad," he told Sky Germany.

"But he's a superb player, he will get used to the Premier League over time and be able to handle the even bigger pressure.

"I felt the same way at Inter Milan at the beginning.

I had to get used to everything, partly due to the media hype and the higher transfer fee."

Speaking after his side's 1-0 win over Arsenal at Anfield last weekend, Reds boss Arne Slot was asked why he had brought former FC Koln man, Wirtz, off.

He replied: "It wasn't an injury, it was a welcome to the Premier League!

"After 85 minutes, I don't think he knew he could have cramp in so many different places and that's what happened.

"That is welcome to the Premier League, that is welcome to playing in this intensity against an Arsenal that can play really intense as well.

"If you bring in - as we do - very, very good players, so, so, so talented but from different leagues and young - Florian is 22 and 23 Hugo [Ekitike] - I think it is normal if you are not 27 or 28 you maybe need to make a step towards the Premier League and that's what these two are doing."

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