Florian Wirtz was in action for Germany against Portugal on Wednesday night, and while Liverpool fans certainly liked what they saw, the Manchester United captain didn't
Liverpool fans around the world were tuning in to Germany's Nations League semi-final against Portugal on Wednesday night, and all for a glimpse of one man.
Florian Wirtz started in the Germany attack as the Bayer Leverkusen star closes in on a record move to Anfield, but one man who may not be keen on seeing him in the Premier League is Bruno Fernandes.
The Manchester United captain - who this week reiterated his desire to stay at Old Trafford despite interest from Saudi Arabia - was left incensed after being on the end of a studs up challenge from Wirtz in the closing moments of the first half.
Prior to that Wirtz had only shown his quality in flashes during a goalless first period, but there was still enough there for Reds fans to get excited about what they could soon be seeing.
Early in the match Wirtz picked up the ball on the left hand side, superbly beat Francisco Trincao and put over a delivery into the box for Joshua Kimmich emerging from the right.
On X, the Liverpool fans at @AnfieldWatch were suitably impressed, writing: "Mohamed Salah is going to love playing with Florian Wirtz," with another user simply adding "Wirtz you are going to change my life."
More and more praise for Wirtz would soon arrive with one fan adding: "Florian Wirtz is a £100m player. World class." Another simply added: "This Wirtz performance" as the 22-year-old dropped back and began to dictate play from deep.
And Wirtz would show that he also has steel to match his style in the closing stages of the first period with his challenge on Fernandes, who was left in a heap before heading to the touchline to appeal with the fourth official that Wirtz should have been sent off by VAR.
Reds fan @AnfieldRd96 wrote: "Wirtz on Fernandes. Bring him in tonight." Another added: "Wirtz leaving Bruno Fernandes on the floor crying. Give him a 10 year contract Richard (Hughes) lad."
Even better would then follow for Wirtz and those Liverpool fans early in the second half when he found Kimmich, then raced into the box to nod home the Bayern Munich man's excellent chipped cross for a goal which survived a VAR check.
One fan wrote: "Wirtz is turning water into wine with this Germany team, can’t wait to see him in a Liverpool shirt." Another added: "Liverpool already got themselves a future king."
However Germany were unable to hold onto the lead given to them by Wirtz's goal, and Portugal turned the tables to score twice midway through the second half through Chico Conceicao and Cristiano Ronaldo, with the 40-year-old's strike sending his side through to Sunday's final.