Bayer Leverkusen's rising star Florian Wirtz has pocketed a cool £5,300 after being named Man of the Match in Liverpool's 3-1 pre-season victory over Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan.
The 20-year-old German playmaker, currently on loan at Liverpool for pre-season preparations, impressed fans and pundits alike with his dynamic performance at the Japan National Stadium.
A Million Yen Performance
Wirtz's standout display earned him the tournament's Man of the Match award, which comes with a prize of 1 million Japanese yen (approximately £5,300). The young midfielder showed why he's considered one of Europe's most exciting prospects, contributing significantly to Liverpool's dominant performance against the J-League champions.
Match Highlights
The friendly saw Liverpool take control early with goals from Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez putting the Reds 2-0 up by halftime. While Yokohama pulled one back in the second half, substitute Luis Díaz sealed the win with Liverpool's third goal in the 89th minute.
Wirtz's creative passing and intelligent movement were instrumental in Liverpool's attacking play throughout the match, making him a clear choice for the prestigious award.
What This Means for Wirtz
This performance will undoubtedly increase speculation about Wirtz's future, with several top European clubs reportedly monitoring the young German international. His loan spell at Liverpool during pre-season could be the perfect shop window for a potential big-money move in the future.
For now, Wirtz can enjoy his unexpected windfall as he continues preparations for the new season with Bayer Leverkusen, where he's expected to play a key role in their Bundesliga and European campaigns.
