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Florian Wirtz finally donned the Liverpool shirt in competitive football on Sunday, stepping onto the Wembley turf for his official debut in the Community Shield clash against Crystal Palace.

The Germany international was deployed in an advanced midfield role, tasked with pulling the strings behind Hugo Ekitike.

He wasted no time justifying his £116 million price tag, picking out Ekitike in the fourth minute with a perfectly weighted pass that led to the opener.

Wirtz continued to impress with his vision and ball control, commanding the midfield.

Yet his positive display could not prevent a 2-2 draw, as Palace twice fought back to force spot kicks.

In the shootout, Liverpool crumbled and suffered defeat, exposing defensive vulnerabilities that overshadowed Wirtz’s bright cameo.

Slot praised Wirtz’s adaptability but warned that the new midfield configuration will require time to gel.

However, the 22-year-old’s performance was a sign of things to come at Anfield.

And according to footballing royalty in Toni Kroos, we could even more expect more very soon.

Writing in German newspaper Kicker after Florian Wirtz was named German Footballer of the Year by the newspaper, Toni Kroos has admitted that Wirtz has done “everything right” by choosing to progress his career at Anfield:

“In my opinion, you’ve done everything right by moving to Liverpool FC,” said the football legend.

“And it’s underpinning your mindset and conviction.”

“You’re a very special player, on so many levels.”

The Real Madrid icon added that it was a very special occasion when he first saw his compatriot playing football

“When I first saw you play football, I immediately noticed that you have more than just that certain something!

Your sense of moving in the right spaces, your first touch, your final pass, and even your finishing—everything is special.”

“And then there’s your mentality?

You have the conviction in your own qualities, and you radiate that.

“You don’t take any nonsense—you carry a small but incredibly important portion of arrogance within you, which I hope you never let go of.”

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