Liverpool still have second Florian Wirtz announcement to make after deal confirmed

Liverpool are set to leave fans waiting for Florian Wirtz's squad number after finally confirming the signing of the German star. Supporters will be lining up to buy the £116million addition's shirt but may have to wait until the Reds make another announcement.

Wirtz became Liverpool's second summer signing, joining his former Leverkusen team-mate Jeremie Frimpong at Anfield. A protracted transfer was finally confirmed on Friday evening. However, the Premier League champions expect to make a second announcement about their new man's shirt number later in the summer. As part of their confirmation of the transfer, Liverpool said: "Wirtz's official squad number for Liverpool will be confirmed later this summer."

At Leverkusen, Wirtz wore the No. 10 and No. 27 shirt. Alexis Mac Allister is the incumbent No. 10 but No. 27 has been free since Darwin Nunez switched to No. 9 in 2023.

For Germany, the 22-year-old has predominantly donned No. 17. Once a number worn by Steven Gerrard, the shirt is currently occupied by Curtis Jones.

"I feel very happy and very proud. Finally it's done and I was waiting for a long time - finally it's done and I am really happy," Wirtz said after completing his switch from Germany.

"I'm really excited to have a new adventure in front of me. This was also a big point of my thoughts: that I want to have something completely new, to go out of the Bundesliga and to join the Premier League.

"I will see how I can perform there. I hope I can do my best. I spoke also with some players who played there and they told me that it's perfect for me and every pitch is perfect, you can enjoy every game. I'm really looking forward to playing my first game."

Wirtz has become Liverpool's record signing and could yet trump the biggest Premier League fee if the Merseysiders pay the full £116m price tag, which is said to include instalments and bonuses. His arrival is part of a big-spending summer by Liverpool, who are determined to remain ahead of Arsenal and Manchester City.

Liverpool signed Frimpong from Leverkusen in a deal believed to be worth around £30m. Meanwhile, left-back Milos Kerkez remains on their radar and there is long-term interest in Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi.