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Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen(Image: Pau Barrena/Getty Images)

The last time Liverpool were at Preston North End's Deepdale stadium, it was notable for the sight of interim sporting director Jorg Schmadtke sneaking out at half-time into the car park.

Vape in one hand and mobile phone in the other, with the Reds in the midst of a pursuit of a midfielder it wouldn't have been a surprise had Schmadtke been attempting to broker a transfer.

But when the Reds are next in the Lancashire city on July 13, all eyes are likely to be trained on another German given it will be the first opportunity to watch Florian Wirtz in action as a Liverpool player.

The formalities of the move for the 22-year-old will be completed next week with the Reds having thrashed out a deal with Bayer Leverkusen worth a guaranteed £100million plus £16m in add-ons.

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There will be plenty of intrigue over where Wirtz lines up in Arne Slot's formation, although the expectation will be his Liverpool career starts as a conventional attacking midfielder before his versatility is tested.

Before his grand unveiling, though, the speculation will centre on the shirt the Germany international will be wearing.

Or, more specifically, which number.

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During recent years at Leverkusen, Wirtz has worn the number 10.

That, though, is currently owned at Liverpool by Alexis Mac Allister, which prompted the incoming man to address claims earlier this month he had demanded the jersey be handed over as part of the transfer.

"Who says I want the 10?" said Wirtz on social media.

That is currently in the possession of Curtis Jones.

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Which leaves one other number that, in terms of his career, holds some sentimental value to Wirtz.

When he broke into the Leverkusen first team back in May 2020 as a 17-year-old, Wirtz wore the number 27 jersey and continued to do so until switching to the number 10 at the start of the 2023/24 season.

At present, the number 27 shirt is vacant in the Liverpool squad.

Darwin Nunez, the player Wirtz is poised to succeed as the most expensive signing in the club's history.