Liverpool showcased £270million-worth of new signings in the 3-2 friendly victory over Athletic Bilbao but the goals still went to established Premier League winners Mohamed Salah – who also missed a late penalty – and Cody Gakpo.Florian Wirtz’s first look at Anfield gave fans a glimpse of why the club made him their – and with add-ons potentially a British – record signing with some clever touches and interplay and almost the opening goal.
Head coach Arne Slot believes the Germany international will replace the creativity they lost from the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid.“I think there is always room for improvement in every department and we have added a few, in my opinion, extra weapons,” said the Dutchman.“Florian has a lot of creativity in the final third and we have lost with Trent a lot of creativity from the back.
“Trent’s crosses and picking out runners was so special – Flo has this quality in a totally different position. He brings that creativity.”
Wirtz’s fellow new signings also showed they were settling in well as Jeremie Frimpong linked up well with Salah, fellow full-back Milos Kerkez was solid and Hugo Ekitike showed flexibility across the forward line.Wirtz headed onto the crossbar before Ekitike crossed for Salah to fire home and Gakpo scored twice after the break after Oihan Sancet had levelled.