FOR BETTER WITH WIRTZ

If Slot grants me a freedom pass it will be a match made in heaven says midfield ace

- by MARK JONES

FLORIAN WIRTZ is confident that if Arne Slot gives him the freedom to express himself, he’ll make Liverpool even better.

Wirtz, 22, already has his image emblazoned on the outside of the Kop and he made his first appearance in front of his new home fans in Monday's friendly against Athletic Bilbao.

The attacking midfielder, who signed from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal which could rise to a British record £116m, is the headline act of a busy summer spending spree which tops £265m.

But Wirtz has no concern over his price tag, and is focusing on how he can improve a team which won the Premier League with four games to spare last season.

"I came here to play my best football and because I thought I could fit into this team," said Wirtz.

"I'm really enjoying my first few weeks. I'm enjoying playing with these players. It's getting a little bit better every time and I'm happy about how it's going."

Wirtz donned a red shirt for the first time on the club's preseason tour of the Far East, featuring against AC Milan and the Japanese side Yokohama F Marinos, against whom he scored.