Liverpool defender Jeremie Frimpong has voiced strong confidence in his former Bayer Leverkusen teammate Florian Wirtz, insisting that the highly rated German midfielder will soon justify his enormous £116 million transfer fee. According to Frimpong, Wirtz’s talent and mentality mean the pressure surrounding such a record-breaking price tag will not affect him.

Frimpong was the first of the two Leverkusen stars to make the move to Anfield, completing a £29.5 million transfer earlier in the window. That deal is believed to have helped open discussions between Liverpool and Leverkusen regarding Wirtz, who later followed his close friend to Merseyside in one of the most expensive signings in the club’s history. Now reunited, the pair are beginning a new chapter together at Liverpool after sharing huge success in Germany.

Having recently returned to action following a frustrating hamstring injury, Frimpong has already become a vocal supporter of Wirtz within the squad. The Dutch full-back described the 21-year-old as an elite player and credited him as a key reason behind Leverkusen’s historic achievements, including their Bundesliga title, German Cup triumph, and run to the Europa League final.

Frimpong emphasized that Wirtz’s influence at Leverkusen was enormous, suggesting that without him, the team’s remarkable treble-winning campaign might not have been possible. From his perspective, Wirtz’s early performances at Liverpool are merely the beginning, with much more still to come as he adapts to the Premier League.

Importantly, Frimpong believes Wirtz is unaffected by external pressure, including the scrutiny that inevitably comes with such a high transfer fee. He explained that Wirtz plays football purely for enjoyment and focuses entirely on what happens on the pitch rather than on headlines or expectations. According to Frimpong, Wirtz handles pressure exceptionally well and thrives when the ball is at his feet, showing a natural calmness and confidence regardless of the circumstances.

While supporters and pundits continue to debate the significance of the £116 million fee, Frimpong insists that Wirtz himself pays little attention to it. In his view, Wirtz understands his own ability and is motivated only by the desire to play and express himself on the field.

The transition to Liverpool has also been made easier by the pair arriving together. Frimpong admitted that sharing the move with such a close friend has been hugely beneficial. The two players began their professional journeys at Leverkusen around the same time, and now find themselves starting a new adventure together in England. Their friendship extends beyond football, with the duo spending time together off the pitch, whether relaxing at home or heading out for meals and casual trips into the city.

Frimpong’s own season has not been without challenges. A pair of hamstring injuries sidelined him for a significant spell, marking the first time since the 2021–22 campaign that he missed league matches through injury. One of the setbacks kept him out for approximately eight weeks, making the recovery process particularly difficult for a player who rarely finds himself unavailable.

During his rehabilitation, Frimpong focused on improving his physical condition and overall performance. He took up pilates to aid recovery and strengthen his body, while also adding around four kilograms of muscle—similar to the physical development Wirtz has undergone. In addition, Frimpong spent time studying right-backs to enhance the defensive side of his game and worked on increasing his pace, an area he believes has improved over the past year.

Reflecting on his time on the sidelines, Frimpong admitted it was mentally tough, especially given his history of staying injury-free. However, he has accepted the experience as part of football and feels refreshed and fully fit as he returns to regular action. He acknowledged that injuries are an unavoidable aspect of the sport and viewed the setback as an unfortunate but temporary obstacle.

Liverpool now turn their attention to an upcoming trip to Fulham, where they could also be strengthened by the return of Joe Gomez. With Frimpong regaining fitness and Wirtz settling in, optimism is growing that Liverpool’s summer additions will soon begin to make a decisive impact.