Both men have only signed for Liverpool this summer but Florian Wirtz is already sounding optimistic about his connection with new teammate Hugo Ekitike.
The Premier League champions have spent big this summer, with Wirtz and Ekitike arriving from Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt respectively.
The Reds are strengthening from a position of strength after such an impressive last season, with the likes of Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez also arriving.
Their pre-season friendlies are now at an end, with the Community Shield against Crystal Palace coming up on Saturday and Wirtz is already enjoying life playing with Ekitike.
Both arriving from the Bundesliga, the German knew of the Frenchman and is excited to link up with him regularly this season.
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‘He is a really good player. I enjoyed watching him at Frankfurt and I was really happy that he decided to come to us,’ Wirtz told The Times of the 23-year-old.
‘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 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.’
Ekitike and Wirtz started in the second of Liverpool’s two games against Athletic Club on Monday which the Reds won 3-2 and will both hope to be starting at Wembley on Saturday.
The Frenchman recognised that there is work to be done on the relationship with his new teammates but is already enjoying life on Merseyside.
‘Obviously I am here now for more than one week so I’m still trying to find connections with the others in the last passes and even before,’ he said. ‘I enjoy playing with them, outside of the pitch they are good guys also. So, I take pleasure to play with them.
Liverpool’ summer signings
Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen – £29.5m
Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen – £100m
Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth – £40m
Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia – £25m
Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt – £69m
‘We have some little things to fix to get better. Even me with the ball, I knew I could do better today. But I really enjoy playing with them and I’m sure we’re going to make really good things this season.’
Ekitike is coming in to play up front with Wirtz behind the front line, but the Germany international says that you can expect to see him popping up all over the place.
‘I think I am a player who needs freedom on the pitch, and the manager gives it to me,’ said Wirtz. ‘Of course, I have to respect the position and the players around me, but I try to give my best on the pitch and find the right places. I have the freedom for this.
‘I came [to Liverpool] because I thought I could fit in this team 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.’
There could still be more new arrivals at Liverpool this summer, with the club remaining interested in Newcastle striker Alexander Isak and Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
If Isak does arrive in a huge deal, where Ekitike will fit into Slot’s plans will be thrown into doubt.