Arsenal
Liverpool have confirmed a record-breaking begin to their new 10-year partnership with Adidas, with gross sales of the 2025/26 residence equipment surging greater than 700% in comparison with final yr’s Nike launch.
Based on membership figures, the disclosing of the brand new pink residence and white away shirts additionally generated 17 million engagements and 423 million impressions throughout social media. The settlement with Adidas, price over £600 million, has already made an emphatic affect.
Orders have been positioned from greater than 150 international locations, making it probably the most profitable equipment launch within the membership’s historical past. The surge in demand has additionally been boosted by the reopening of Liverpool’s revamped official retailer exterior Anfield.
Main the gross sales charts is Florian Wirtz, whose No. 7 shirt has outsold each different identify and quantity because the kits went on sale. The 22-year-old was unveiled as Liverpool’s new No. 7 shortly earlier than the launch, having arrived from Bayer Leverkusen this summer season in a blockbuster £116 million switch.
Wirtz featured closely within the membership’s advertising and marketing marketing campaign alongside captain Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister. His standing as Liverpool’s marquee summer season signing has clearly fuelled demand, with supporters desperate to put on his identify from day one a pattern usually seen with excessive profile arrivals.
Florian Wirtz insists he feels no weight of expectation regardless of turning into Liverpool’s most costly signing and says he’s already feeling proper at residence after making his Anfield bow.
The 22-year-old joined the Reds in June in a deal price £100 million, probably rising to a British-record £116m with performance-related add-ons. But when there’s stress on Wirtz to ship, he’s definitely not displaying it.
When requested concerning the switch charge, the Germany worldwide shrugged it off.
“I don’t take into consideration this. I simply need to play soccer. How a lot cash the golf equipment pay between one another doesn’t matter.”
Wirtz made his first look at Anfield throughout the second of Liverpool’s pre-season friendlies in opposition to Athletic Membership. Regardless of it being a non-competitive fixture, there was no scarcity of vitality in his efficiency or applause from the stands.
Working within the quantity 10 position, Wirtz caught the attention in a fluid attacking show, linking nicely with Mohamed Salah and twice going near scoring throughout a full of life first half. The gang responded with a heat ovation when he was substituted halfway by the second interval.
“Monday was the primary time at Anfield additionally. I prefer it! I’m actually having fun with the primary weeks. It’s getting each time somewhat bit higher. I’m pleased with the way it’s going.”
There was a protracted historical past of file signings crumbling beneath the burden of expectation, however the German playmaker is eager to jot down a distinct story.
“I’m a participant who wants freedom on the pitch and the supervisor offers that to me. After all, I’ve to respect the place and the gamers round me. However I attempt to give my greatest on the pitch and discover the suitable locations. I’ve the liberty to try this.”
That freedom comes as a part of Arne Slot’s tactical imaginative and prescient, with the Dutchman seeing Wirtz as a central inventive power. Although he can play off the left or as a false 9, Slot has largely deployed him within the quantity 10 position however with licence to float.
“I’ll attempt to discover the suitable locations to be and the suitable areas to get the ball, and to be harmful and create possibilities. I’ve not performed a match within the Premier League but, however I’m wanting ahead to it. That’s why I got here right here.”
Wirtz already opened his Reds account with a purpose in opposition to Yokohama F. Marinos final week in a pre-season pleasant and is shortly adapting to his new environment. Nonetheless, there’s an acknowledgment that the Premier League shall be a step up from the Bundesliga, however he’s relishing the problem.
“To be sincere, I don’t know what it will likely be like till I play. There’ll after all be some variations from the German league however that’s one thing I can study. It should make me higher.”
That starvation to enhance, paired with a grounded mindset, is a part of what made Wirtz such a compelling goal for Liverpool’s recruitment crew. And having purchased into Slot’s imaginative and prescient early in negotiations, the midfielder says he’s able to develop with the challenge.
“Sure, I got here for that motive, as a result of I might match into this crew, I’m having fun with taking part in with these gamers. It’s getting higher each time.”
The early indicators are promising. Wirtz could not have kicked a ball within the Premier League simply but, however his Anfield debut and perspective suggests Liverpool have landed a critical expertise with the mentality to match.
And as for the worth tag? He’s leaving that to everybody else.
“I simply need to play soccer.”
