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Florian Wirtz has been linked with a move to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool should know exactly the kind of player they are pursuing in Florian Wirtz after the Bayer Leverkusen superstar’s spiky comments in the media.

Germany international Wirtz has emerged as a key target for Liverpool as they plot their succession plan after clinching a record-levelling 20th league title this season.

The Reds are already pushing ahead with their pursuit of reinforcements to successfully defend their Premier League crown.



Most notably, Anfield chiefs have triggered Jeremie Frimpong's £30million release clause to shortly land their first signing of the summer.

But the Echo understands that Liverpool have also reached out to Frimpong’s Leverkusen team-mate Wirtz’s representatives to make their interest known.

"He's a great baller and a bit cheeky, that helps him," said Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, who once summed up the midfielder's flair by saying: "Flo is doing Flo things."

His former Germany boss Hansi Flick, who recently won La Liga with Barcelona, also spoke glowingly about the youngster’s character.

Flick said: "Florian is just a huge asset with his care-free nature.

He's the full package."

German publication BILD reported last week that Wirtz and his parents are pushing to ensure he departs Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

It was also reported that he had verbally agreed a deal with the recently-crowned Bundesliga champions.

Such reports were rubbished by sections of the German media.

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That was followed by claims that Wirtz’s representatives had travelled to England to hold talks with Pep Guardiola at City’s training ground, before it emerged via Bild that his agent-father had actually met with Liverpool.

Betfair have compiled the odds for Wirtz's next club and currently chart Liverpool as the third favourites with both Bayern and City ahead of them in the standings.

But while Liverpool are still outsiders to sign the 2023/24 Bundesliga Player of the Season, The Athletic report they are expected to complete the signing of Frimpong on a five-year deal in the coming days.