Wirtz praises Hugo Ekitike after strong start to pre-season at Liverpool

Liverpool’s new signing Florian Wirtz has quickly made an impact in preseason, and the German midfielder is already forming key on-field connections—most notably with fellow newcomer Hugo Ekitike.

After a standout performance in the 3-1 win over Yokohama, where Wirtz scored and was named Man of the Match, the 22-year-old praised Ekitike for his movement and understanding in the final third.

“He’s very good. I already played with him at Frankfurt and I’m happy to have him as a teammate. We had some good combinations on the pitch,” Wirtz told The Times.

Former Teammates Reunited at Anfield

The pair briefly played together at Eintracht Frankfurt, and their chemistry appears to have carried over into their new challenge under manager Arne Slot at Liverpool.

Wirtz, who joined from Bayer Leverkusen for €100 million, says he feels confident about adapting to Premier League football, despite the high expectations surrounding his move.

Smooth Adaptation and Positive Atmosphere

“I came here because I thought I’d fit in right away. I’m enjoying every training session and game. The adaptation is positive,” said the German international.

He also acknowledged the unique challenges of English football, adding:

“It’s more intense and physical, but I’m ready to learn.”

Premier League Debut Around the Corner

Liverpool’s official 2025–26 season debut will be against Bournemouth on August 15, and both Wirtz and Ekitike are expected to start as Slot reshapes the team for a new era post-Klopp.

The early signs are promising for the Reds, with their high-profile signings already showing cohesion ahead of what could be a title-contending season.