Training start on July 7th
© Imago
Florian Wirtz wants to become an even better footballer through his record change to Liverpool. “Yes, that was also an important point for me: that I will improve my personal level and physical level. Everyone knows that players are machines in Liverpool-really strong and very physical,” said the 22-year-old on the Reds website.
But when does Wirtz start with the English champion? The official start of training of the LFC is scheduled for July 7th. Six days later, the midfielder could play in one game for the first time for his new club. The team of coach Arne Slot then meets Preston North End in a test game.
Later in July it goes on a asian tour. In Hong Kong, Liverpool will play against AC Milan on July 26, in Japan against Yokohama F. Marinos (July 30). After further games, Bournemouth is the first opponent of the defending champion in the Premier League on August 15th on the Angend Road.
Numbers for the Wirtz transfer-press celebrates the new “Kaiser of the Kop”
On Friday, Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen officially made the most expensive transfer of a German footballer. According to reports, the transfer fee including bonus payments can theoretically increase to up to 150 million euros. “The Athletic” wrote from an agreement to a total of EUR 136.3 million, of which 117.5 million euros should flow immediately – another 18.8 million euros are possible in additional payments. According to the “Sport Bild”, EUR 125 million will be fixed to Leverkusen, 15 million euros are realistic and another 10 million euros are conceivable via bonuses that are difficult to reach. For this, Wirtz not only has to get the Champions League with the LFC, but also have a part of the title win.
The transfer was also a big issue in the English press. “Kaiser of the Kop” was the title of the “Mirror” tabloid based on the famous grandstand in the Liverpool stadium. “Evening Standard” evaluated the obligation as a declaration of war with a view to defending the title in the Premier League. But Wirtz doesn’t just want to win the title. “I want to win everything every year! First of all, we have to do our work, I have to do my work. (…) Last season you won the Premier League, so it is my goal to win them back and to get on in the Champions League. I’m really ambitious.”