Florian Wirtz has singled out one player in the Liverpool squad who has particularly impressed him ahead of the new season.
The Premier League champions face FA Cup winners Crystal Palace in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday, a fixture seen as the traditional season curtain raiser.
Wirtz has had plenty of time to settle in to his new surroundings, having completed a British record £116m move to Anfield back on June 20.
And it is another new arrival who has caught his eye ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
Speaking to The Times, the German was full of praise for striker Hugo Ekitike, who joined from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79m last month.
‘He is a really good player,’ Wirtz said. ‘I enjoyed watching him at Frankfurt and I was really happy that he decided to come to us.
‘In the training sessions already, he went well and also in the game we had some combinations that were good. I am really happy that I can play with him.
Ekitike made his debut in Liverpool’s 3-1 friendly win over Yokohama a week ago before making his Anfield bow against Athletic Bilbao on Monday, where he registered an assist.
‘It is good that we have a few players that come at the same time, so we can connect a little bit and talk to each other about how we deal with it. That helps when you come to a new team.’
‘I came [to Liverpool] because I thought I could fit in this team [straight away] and I am enjoying playing with these players. Every time it is getting a little bit better, so I am happy with how it is going. I’m really enjoying the first weeks.’
‘I have not played a match in the Premier League, but I am looking forward to it and that is why I came. To be honest I don’t know [how it will be].
There will be some differences to the German league, but that is also something I can learn and make me better so I am really looking forward to it.
‘They tell me it’s more intense and more physical, every player is really strong, really fast. That is what everybody is telling me — and I’m aware of that.’
