Florian Wirtz hits the ground running on Liverpool return but bigger tests await
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SportFootballFlorian WirtzThe German international was on the scoresheet for Liverpool against Leeds United at Soldier Field in ChicagoThe ease with which Florian Wirtz breezed through his first 45 minutes of the pre-season schedule bordered on contemptuous at times here in Chicago.Liverpool's £116m playmaker might have been performing in one of the true cathedrals of American sport - the impressive Soldier Field, the home of NFL franchise the Chicago Bears - but he might as well have been having a kick-about in his back garden for all he cared.Much was made of Wirtz's maiden campaign on Merseyside, in particular the difficulty he had adapting to the ferocity of the Premier League when he made the step up from the Bundesliga, having become the jewel of German football during his time as Bayer Leverkusen's star man.It was telling how often the great and the good of German football, including a certain Jurgen Klopp, would line up last season to explain just how good the most expensive export in Bundesliga history is and will eventually be at Liverpool.And in truth, most of the problems Wirtz encountered were not of his own making. Few players in world football would have flourished in those unique circumstances.Adapting to the increased intensity following that was always going to be tough and as the form of other, more experienced players dipped, Arne Slot was unable to make real use of Wirtz's gifts.That, though, is all in the rearview mirror and with Wirtz now demanded to step up and, alongside Alexander Isak, become the posterboy of a new era at Anfield, this was an encouraging start.
Admittedly some additional aggression and power are needed but the hope is that the penny has long since dropped now.Of course, bigger tests will come than a pre-season run-out on the other side of the Atlantic but the No.7 was undoubtedly excellent here against Leeds United, playing enough cute passes and neat one-twos in dangerous areas to suggest that pace and speed around him will truly unlock a new level.Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 away kitThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreLiverpool FC have launched their new away kit for the 2026/27 season.
The kit "combines timeless design with modern performance innovation" and is inspired by its away strips from the 1980s.Wirtz, who was replaced at the break, was content all half to take the ball in all areas of the pitch and his use of it was always intelligent. One slick back-heel to Isak almost paid off handsomely too.The timing of his run for the classy second, which came when Jeremie Frimpong cushioned Trey Nyoni's cross-field pass into the six-yard box, was the sort of stuff Wirtz will need to make his calling card this season.