Florian Wirtz has revealed how Liverpool boss Arne Slot helped convince him to make the biggest move of his career.
The German international completed a club-record £100m transfer from Bayer Leverkusen this week, with an additional £16m in performance-based add-ons included in the deal. The 22-year-old has signed a five-year contract at Anfield and becomes the Reds’ most expensive signing ever.
Wirtz attracted serious interest from Bayern Munich and other top clubs, but Liverpool moved quickly to secure his signature, and Slot’s early conversations made the difference.
“The conversations were always really good,” Wirtz said. “I can remember the first time [we met], he already showed me some scenes and how he wants to play, how I could fit in the team.
“He was just telling me I’m a player he really wants to have in his team, and I can bring the team a step forward. I could just imagine it would be good to be in the team and to make it better.
“I have to make my performances every week, but I’m here for this.”
Wirtz also spoke about why he felt the time was right to leave Germany and why Liverpool was the right next step.
“I just thought that it was the right point in my career to make the next step,” he said. “And of course, I wanted to get to a club that is from the top three in the world. In my opinion, Liverpool is one of them.
“I just saw myself in the best hands in Liverpool. I was really convinced by the people here, by the idea, and everything the club offers me was really good.
“Every time I spoke to someone from the club, I felt like, ‘this is the place I want to be.’ In the end, I was really 100 per cent convinced I want to join Liverpool. It was the best choice.”
Wirtz is expected to join the squad for pre-season next month after a short break
