Granit Xhaka makes Florian Wirtz promise as Liverpool man sent strong new backing

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Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka shares his thoughts on former Bayer Leverkusen team-mate Florian Wirtz, who joined Liverpool in June in a deal worth up to £116mSunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka has backed Florian Wirtz to become a star at Liverpool. And the Black Cats has given his former Bayer Leverkusen team-mate the nod over Chelsea's Cole Palmer when asked to choose between the pair.Xhaka and Wirtz were two integral figures for Xabi Alonso in the 23/24 campaign when Leverkusen went the entire Bundesliga season unbeaten to win their first-ever German title before finishing as Europa League runners-up to Atalanta.The former Arsenal captain moved to Sunderland around the same time German made his £116m switch to Anfield and asked to rank his former colleague alongside Chelsea's Palmer and Manchester United man Bruno Fernandes by Sky Sports, the Switzerland international selected the Reds' No.7.READ MORE: Liverpool FC tickets survey launched for 500,000 supporters as new Anfield strategy plannedREAD MORE: Linda Pizzuti shares emotional Liverpool message and makes FSG promise"Yeah, [it's] between Palmer and Flo Wirtz, let’s say with Flo Wirtz, I had the joy to be with him for three years," Xhaka said."You will [see his quality], a lot of English people will enjoy him because he’s unbelievable, not just with the ball, but the work without the ball."I didn’t see many No.10s on his level without the ball and with the ball."To be in this age 20-21 to have this mentality, the work to put [in] day by day, before the training and after the training, to be angry if you don’t win a training session, this is Florian Wirtz."I saw him for two [years], and I have a lot of respect for Palmer as well, but because I was with Wirtz for two years and I know how much he can bring to the Premier League.“Hopefully not against us, Sunderland, but the rest of the year I wish him just the best because he deserves that.”Wirtz has yet to score or create an assist in the Premier League or Champions League for the Reds and featured in all three games before the international break that ended in defeat at Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Chelsea.The 22-year-old played his part in the Germany side that beat Northern Ireland 1-0 at Windsor Park on Monday evening and as he prepares for his first taste of Liverpool versus Manchester United this Sunday, the attacking midfielder has found a new ally in current Leverkusen coach Kasper Hjulmand, who recently replaced Erik ten Hag at the BayArena."Come on, he's only just arrived there," said Hjulmand in an interview with Sport Bild.

That will be just as wrong as the recent criticism."Give him time, let him play – and everyone in Liverpool will see how good he is. I have no doubt that he will prove himself."Those comments have been echoed by former Tottenham Hotspur man Steffen Freund who tipped Wirtz to become vital to the cause at Anfield once he is fully adjusted."From my experience, it takes at least six months to fully get used to the Premier League," the ex-Germany international told Bild.

"For Florian, the move to Liverpool is the perfect step in my opinion, but also a huge one."If he stays fit, takes the right steps and the coach manages his workload well, gives him breaks if necessary, sometimes leaves him out, then I tell you: In 18 months, Florian Wirtz will be the best player at Liverpool and the whole world will want him."The Premier League is the best league in the world by far. That surprises every player who comes there - even top players like Florian, that they did not immediately become an absolute game changer".Wirtz joined Liverpool from Leverkusen in the summer for an initial fee of £100m after he turned down Manchester City and Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.