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Liverpool's Florian Wirtz is chased by AC Milan's Samuele Ricci during their friendly match at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on July 26 2025(Image: PETER PARKS/AFP via Getty Images)

So the fervour truly begins.

Missing at Preston North End and shut behind closed doors against Stoke City, Florian Wirtz has, more by accident than design, been kept under wraps by Liverpool since his club record signing arrival from Bayer Leverkusen.

This, then, was a first real glimpse of the £116million man, even if, playing as one of two false number 10s alongside Harvey Elliott to spearhead a side missing a recognised striker, it was hardly in the most representative fashion.

And while the sample size was small during his 45 minutes against AC Milan, there was more than enough reason for Reds supporters to be enthused.

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Although hardly the largest physical specimen, Wirtz is strong and quick, both in terms of his feet and speed of thought.

If the brief highlights released from the Stoke game showcased some of his short-range passing, against Milan his full range was on display.

There was something effortless in the way Wirtz controlled the ball and then swept a pass forward, often seeking out Mohamed Salah on the right flank.

Already there are signs of a relationship blossoming between the two, particularly during one flowing move where the unmarked Egyptian should have shot rather than attempting to tee up his new team-mate.

And it was telling that when Wirtz dropped into the attacking midfielder positions for which he has ostensibly been bought that he truly began to shine, able to turn away from opponents and find the pockets of space in which he will be expected to do his greatest damage - with a striker ahead of him to service, of course.

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Szoboszlai steps up

One of the most curious aspects of the win over Stoke City last weekend was the sight of Dominik Szoboszlai lining up at right-back.

As the player whose regular starting role is most under threat following the arrival of Wirtz, it was seen by some as a portent of what may be to come for the Hungary international.

Szoboszlai, though, was back in a more regular midfield role against Milan.

If there has been one winner during the opening weeks of pre-season, it is Rio Ngumoha.

Less than a year into his Anfield career, and still a month away from his 17th birthday, the left winger has made the most of the opportunity afforded to him by Luis Diaz's flirting with Bayern Munich.

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Having had a hand in the opener at Preston and scored a deflected effort against Stoke, Ngumoha's willingness to run at his marker helped set up Szoboszlai's strike and later forced Maignan into a solid save.

Once again, he did not look out of place surrounded by senior colleagues - aided, it must be said, by playing in his regular position in a much-tweaked and unusual set-up - and is swiftly making himself a potential first-team option for the new campaign.