What kind of environment produces an elite footballer? In the case of Florian Wirtz, it was one of parental support, accessible facilities and, perhaps most importantly of all, very few distractions.

Maybe Virgil van Dijk knew all along that by sticking around this summer, he would witness first-hand the birth of FSG’s Liverpool 2.0. After all, there aren’t many left from the squad he joined seven and a half years ago.

Anfield's executives do not often spend big on ready-made superstars but they were glad to make an exception for German star

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Florian Wirtz is not coming cheap. In a deal worth a guaranteed £100million plus £16m in add-ons, he becomes the most expensive sale in Bundesliga history and the most expensive signing in Liverpool history. If those add-ons are achieved, he will become the most expensive signing in Premier League history.