Florian Wirtz gave Liverpool fans a teaser of what's to come even though his scintillating performance could not save Germany from defeat.

Wirtz scored the opening goal as Germany slipped to a 2-1 loss to Portugal in the Nations League semi-final at Munich's Allianz Arena.

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Wirtz played the full match for Germany in their defeat against Portugal and got himself on the scoresheetCredit: Getty

The Bayer Leverkusen ace showed off all his intelligence for the opener as he drifted across the face of goal from the left and laid the ball off to Joshua Kimmich.

and#8216;I respect playersand#8217; and#8211; Florian Wirtz drops biggest hint yet over Liverpool move in Instagram message	Florian Wirtz reinvented footballand#8217;s No.10 role and now set for record Liverpool transfer after and#8216;secret meetingand#8217;	Football news LIVE: Chelsea announce Delap, Ronaldoand#8217;s miss punished as Liverpool target Wirtz scores for Germany

Wirtz then slowed his run before he suddenly darting into the box unmarked to head home Kimmich's lofted pass over the top of Portugal's back line.

Although a VAR check ensued, it would not rob Wirtz of an exquisite sequence of events.

Wirtz also had Reds fans drooling in the first half when he cut in from the left and floated an inch-perfect ball over Portugal's defence all the way to Kimmich who had arrived at the back post.

Unfortunately for Germany, Kimmich could not get enough power to knock the ball back to Leon Goretzka, who was unmarked in the box, to take a quick strike at goal.

Regardless, Liverpool fans waxed lyrical about what they saw from Kimmich against the former European champions.

One account posted on X: "Mohamed Salah is going to love playing with Florian Wirtz."

Another wrote: "Wirtz you are about to change my life."

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A third added: "Not been incredibly involved so far for Germany but Wirtz looks such a cut above everyone else.

Portugal need to limit his touches."

Although Reds supporters will have tuned in to Germany's Nations League clash, they can't call Wirtz theirs just yet.

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The Leverkusen ace showed almost every facet of his game en route to scoringCredit: Getty

The 22-year-old remains a Bayer Leverkusen player after the German club rejected Liverpool's latest bid of £109million.

Instead, Leverkusen are demanding £126m, which would smash the British transfer record.

That is currently held by Chelsea who paid around £115m for Moises Caicedo in 2023.

Personal terms have already been agreed between both Liverpool and the player, with the 22-year-old only having eyes on a switch to Merseyside.

Manchester City and Bayern Munich had both been credited with serious interest in Wirtz, but both pulled out after they learned of Wirtz's intentions.

Although Wirtz was a standout for Germany, it was not enough to save Die Mannschaft from a Nations League exit as Cristiano Ronaldo proved to be the hero.

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Ronaldo ultimately had the final say in the contest for PortugalCredit: Getty

The 40-year-old tapped home Nuno Mendes' cross in the 68th minute to put Portugal one game closer to a second Nations League crown.

Francisco Conceicao had equalised for the visitors just five minutes before with a sizzling effort.

The Juventus ace received the ball just beyond the halfway line on the right flank and drove towards goal largely unopposed, where he let rip on a curled effort that Marc ter Stegen could not keep out.

Portugal's win was their first over Germany in 25 years.

Not only that, it was also the first time Ronaldo had ever tasted victory over the four-time World Cup winners.


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