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If Liverpool needed any reminder as to just how important Florian Wirtz is going to be then they only have to consider Bayer Leverkusen’s defeat to Hoffenheim over the weekend.

In their first Bundesliga match since the 22-year-old completed a genius British record deal to join the Reds - for what could end up being £116m - Erik ten Hag’s side were soundly beaten in front of their home fans.

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Although Jarell Quansah got his German adventure off to a goalscoring start, this was a far cry from Leverkusen at their swashbuckling best.

Only a year ago they were undefeated league and cup kings of Germany - helmed by Xabi Alonso and their architect on the pitch was none other than Wirtz.

Without Wirtz there is NOTHING

Overall the Germany international scored 57 goals in 197 games for Bayer - creating countless opportunities for others in the process. But they are finding his exit exceedingly hard to deal with.

“The departure of Florian Wirtz was painfully noticeable,” Hendrik Buchheister for RND wrote.

“He has the talent of creating goal-scoring opportunities out of nothing. Without Wirtz, there was nothing left.”

His mooted replacement - American Malik Tillman - remains injured and it was left to new signing Ibrahim Maza and Nathan Tella to conjure the magic.

Wirtz will be Liverpool's centrepiece

But Leverkusen created only ONE big chance - per Sofascore - in the game despite possessing most of the ball. Hence they slipped to defeat in the very first game of the season - setting Ten Hag up for a difficult season ahead.

Wirtz is expected to be the orchestrator in the Liverpool attack for the next half-decade.

While he underwent a slightly muted Premier League debut against Bournemouth last weekend, over time we are certain to see progress.

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