Steven Gerrard has expressed his hope that Liverpool can secure a deal for Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz, with the Reds legend urging the club to strengthen while they are Premier League champions.
Liverpool have been in advanced talks with Leverkusen for nearly two weeks after Wirtz indicated a preference for Anfield over Bayern Munich and Manchester City. A bid worth up to £109m was rejected, but negotiations continue between sporting directors Richard Hughes and Simon Rolfes.
Speaking to TNT Sport, Gerrard said: 'Well, I think you've got to fix the roof while the sun is shining. We never had a big summer window last year, because we already had a team and a squad ready to challenge. But, if you want to go to the next step, it's important to keep improving, keep pushing.'
The former Liverpool captain added: 'There's talk that there's going to be a really big signing, he's a big talent [with a] huge future in front of him, so Liverpool is the place for him, let's hope we can make it happen.'
Any deal for Wirtz would be a club record transfer fee. The Germany international, currently on international duty, dismissed claims he demanded Alexis Mac Allister's No.10 shirt, posting on Instagram: 'Who says I want the 10? I respect players. Don't believe everything what's written.'
