Florian Wirtz, Liverpool’s record-breaking £116 million signing from Bayer Leverkusen, has begun settling into life at Anfield, with the 21-year-old German star spotted at the AXA Training Centre on June 25, 2025, as he prepares for the 2025/26 season. The attacking midfielder, whose transfer smashed the club’s previous record of £85 million for Darwin Núñez, is already integrating with his new teammates under manager Arne Slot, marking a pivotal moment in Liverpool’s ambitious summer rebuild.
Wirtz, widely regarded as a generational talent, arrived in Merseyside earlier this week after completing his medical and signing a six-year contract until 2031. His first training sessions have generated buzz among staff and players, with reports describing his sharpness and effortless flair. Wirtz’s 18 goals and 20 assists in 49 appearances for Leverkusen last season, coupled with his 104 key passes and 87 dribbles in the Bundesliga, underline his potential to transform Liverpool’s attack. His ability to operate as a No. 10, winger, or deeper playmaker aligns perfectly with Slot’s fluid 4-2-3-1 system, which thrives on creativity and pressing.
The young German has been seen working closely with compatriot Dominik Szoboszlai and new signing Jeremie Frimpong, with whom he shared chemistry at Leverkusen. Training drills have focused on linking Wirtz with Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, hinting at a devastating attacking unit. Slot has reportedly tailored sessions to maximize Wirtz’s vision and movement, with the midfielder already impressing by setting up goals in intra-squad matches. Off the pitch, Wirtz has endeared himself to fans by touring Anfield and expressing awe at the Kop’s atmosphere, describing it as “something I can’t wait to experience.”
Liverpool’s pursuit of Wirtz outmaneuvered Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, with Slot’s personal pitch and the club’s vision proving decisive. The £116 million fee, the most expensive for a German player ever, includes performance-based add-ons tied to Premier League and Champions League success, reflecting Liverpool’s confidence in Wirtz’s immediate impact. His arrival, alongside Milos Kerkez (£40m from Bournemouth) and Frimpong (£29.5m), pushes the Reds’ summer spending past £200 million, a bold statement of intent to defending their Premier League title and compete in Europe.
Fans are ecstatic, with supporters gathering outside the training ground to catch glimpses of Wirtz. However, however, the pressure is on Wirtz to justify his price tag, with comparisons to past Liverpool greats like Steven Gerrard already surfacing. As pre-season looms, Wirtz’s integration signals a new era at Anfield, with Liverpool poised to unleash their new star on the Premier League and beyond.
