Liverpool defender Jeremie Frimpong has confidently predicted that his close friend and fellow new signing Florian Wirtz will soon begin to justify his enormous £116million transfer fee at Anfield.
From Leverkusen to Liverpool Together
The flying full-back was the first to make the switch from Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen to Merseyside in a £29.5million deal. That move effectively paved the way for attacking midfielder Wirtz to follow, with talks between the two clubs for the German international commencing during the negotiations for Frimpong.
Now, having recently returned to the side after a serious hamstring injury, the 25-year-old Dutchman is certain his teammate will thrive under the pressure of his record-breaking price tag. 'He is top,' Frimpong stated. 'I know how good of a player Flo is. Like I've said in plenty of interviews, if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have won the treble with Leverkusen.'
'He Doesn't Care About the Price Tag'
Frimpong emphasised that Wirtz's focus remains purely on his football, unburdened by external expectations. 'Flo is the type of player that doesn't care about these things, the price tag. He's just happy to play football,' he explained. 'For me personally, I think Flo takes pressure really well. He's just a guy that loves the ball on his feet. When he plays he's just enjoying it.'
He added: 'Of course, on the outside, what was it, £116m? I don't think he cares about all that. He knows how good he is. He just wants to play.' The defender confirmed that moving clubs simultaneously has been a significant help for both players, strengthening an already tight bond. 'Me and Flo are really good boys... when I heard he was coming, I put a smile on my face because we basically started our Leverkusen career together. And we're starting our Liverpool career together as well.'
Frimpong's Road to Recovery and Improvement
The interview also shed light on Frimpong's own journey since arriving at Liverpool. The full-back suffered two hamstring injuries, one of which kept him out for around eight weeks, marking his first absence from league football since the 2021-22 season.
He used his time on the sidelines productively, taking up pilates and studying other right-backs to improve his defensive understanding. It is also understood he has bulked up by approximately 4 kilograms, a physical transformation mirrored by Wirtz, and has worked specifically on increasing his speed over the last year.
'It was really tough because I'm not really the kind of guy that gets injured,' Frimpong admitted. 'So, it's really difficult for me to deal with. Now I'm healthier. I feel good. I just think it's part of the game... I guess it was just my turn.'
Looking ahead, Liverpool are set to be boosted by the return of defender Joe Gomez to the squad for their upcoming Premier League fixture away to Fulham on Sunday.
