Florian Wirtz Gives Honest Verdict on Fellow New Liverpool Signing Hugo Ekitike After First Anfield Game Together

New Look Liverpool Attack Begins to Click as Wirtz and Ekitike Impress in Pre-Season Showcase

It’s not often that two of Europe’s brightest young talents arrive at a club in the same transfer window, let alone instantly look like they’ve been playing together for years. But that’s exactly the impression Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike gave Liverpool fans on a summer night at Anfield, as the pair made their unofficial debuts in front of a buzzing home crowd.

While preseason matches are rarely more than a dress rehearsal, the early signs are promising—very promising. With a new manager, fresh tactical ideas, and several new faces in the dressing room, Arne Slot‘s Liverpool is still very much a work in progress. But if Monday night’s double-header against Athletic Bilbao was anything to go by, Wirtz and Ekitike could be the foundation of something very special.

WHAT HAPPENED: A Double Dose of Pre-Season Delight at Anfield

Liverpool took on Athletic Club in a unique back-to-back fixture format, giving their squad two full matches worth of minutes in front of the Anfield faithful. Arne Slot split his squad across the two matches, with Wirtz and Ekitike each taking a starring role in their respective appearances.

In the first match, Hugo Ekitike wasted no time introducing himself to The Kop. Leading the line with strength, confidence, and composure, the 23-year-old Frenchman combined brilliantly with Mohamed Salah, teeing up the Egyptian with a perfectly weighted through-ball that resulted in Liverpool’s opening goal. The pass was smooth, incisive, and performed with a swagger that instantly won over the crowd.

Then came Florian Wirtz.

The second game saw the former Bayer Leverkusen starlet light up the midfield with his trademark control, clever touches, and ability to play in tight spaces. Wirtz played as if he were born to play at Anfield. His flair was matched by his intensity, his creativity underpinned by composure far beyond his years. Liverpool ran out 3-2 winners, but the scoreline felt secondary to the buzz around their new number 10.

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THE BIGGER PICTURE: Two New Stars, One Clear Vision

Let’s not forget, these aren’t just any new signings. Liverpool shelled out over £150 million between them, with Ekitike arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial £69 million and Wirtz commanding a club-record fee north of £80 million. That’s serious investment—an undeniable statement of intent from Liverpool under Slot’s new regime.

Wirtz and Ekitike had faced off in the Bundesliga, each carving out reputations as game-changers in their own right. Wirtz dazzled at Leverkusen with his elegance and vision, while Ekitike’s blend of power and finesse made him one of Frankfurt’s standout players last season. Now, they find themselves not as opponents, but as teammates—and seemingly fast friends.

Their chemistry is evident, not just on the pitch but in their interactions off it. And for Wirtz, the early impression of his new attacking partner has been overwhelmingly positive.

WHAT WIRTZ SAID: “He Is a Really Good Player… I’m Happy to Play with Him”

Speaking to The Times after the match, Wirtz was full of praise for Ekitike.

“He is a really good player. 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.”

It’s a humble but telling remark—Wirtz, himself a sensation across Europe, clearly respects Ekitike’s ability and sees potential in their partnership.

“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.”

That bond could be the secret ingredient to fast-tracking their adaptation to Premier League life. Footballers speak often of “clicking” with teammates—it seems Wirtz and Ekitike may already be on that wavelength.

TACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Slot’s Vision Begins to Take Shape

With Jürgen Klopp’s departure ushering in a new era at Anfield, the question on everyone’s mind has been: what will Arne Slot’s Liverpool look like?

Monday night gave us a few clues. Wirtz operated primarily as an advanced midfielder, at times drifting wide or dropping deep to link play. His technical ability allowed Liverpool to play through the lines with speed and precision.

Ekitike, meanwhile, brought a more physical presence up front, reminiscent of early-career Didier Drogba in his ability to shield, turn, and create. His assist for Salah wasn’t just a product of vision—it was a moment of intelligence and maturity in high-pressure territory.

Together, Wirtz and Ekitike offer Liverpool a level of attacking diversity they haven’t quite had in recent years. They’re not just replacements—they’re game-changers.

WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL? Community Shield Clash with Crystal Palace

The Reds won’t have to wait long for their first opportunity at silverware. This Sunday, they’ll face Crystal Palace in the Community Shield at Wembley—a match that, while often dubbed a glorified friendly, takes on real meaning for a team hungry to mark the beginning of a new era with a trophy.

After that, the real work begins. Liverpool’s Premier League campaign kicks off next Friday at Anfield against Bournemouth, with expectations already sky-high thanks to their ambitious summer signings.

For Slot, it’s an immediate test. For Wirtz and Ekitike, it’s the chance to turn promise into performance. And for Liverpool fans, it’s the beginning of what could be a thrilling new chapter.

Liverpool v Athletic Club Bilbao – Pre-Season Friendly

FINAL THOUGHTS: Wirtz and Ekitike Could Be the Future of Liverpool

Pre-season always comes with caveats. The intensity is lower, the stakes aren’t real, and the fitness levels vary wildly. But talent always shines through. And based on what we’ve seen, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike are ready to take Liverpool forward.

They’re young, dynamic, technically superb, and most importantly—they seem to understand each other already. Their combination play has fans dreaming, and with good reason.

Only time will tell how their story unfolds, but if Monday night was a preview, Liverpool might have found themselves a duo to define the decade.