Florian Wirtz shocks Toni Kroos with Liverpool choice as Reds told to 'get excited'

Toni Kroos has admitted to being caught by surprise at Florian Wirtz's decision to snub to join . Wirtz had been a top target for Bundesliga champions Bayern.

But he instead looks set to move to winners Liverpool. The 22-year-old has starred for Bayer Leverkusen, playing a key role in their Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double win as Invincibles last season.

He thrived under the management of Xabi Alonso, scoring 34 goals and registering 35 assists from 94 outings over the past two seasons. But with Alonso moving to , his former squad is being broken up.

Wirtz is set to join the exodus and had been linked with a move to Bundesliga rivals Bayern for some time. But in a stunning turn of events, he is now closing in on a transfer to Liverpool.

The Reds are set to pay a club-record fee for the German, with Bayern legend Kroos admitting it was a scenario he did not see coming. But the World Cup winner has insisted that the 22-year-old has what it takes to thrive at the top level.

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“It was just obvious to everyone that he was going to Bayern,” Kroos said. “I didn't know that, and in my old way, I didn't believe it (that he would reject Bayern for Liverpool) at first when someone wrote that.

“Ultimately, he's so good that he's capable of asserting himself anywhere. If he thinks that’s the best next step for him and his career, then that's good. You can technically only judge decisions like this afterwards, of course.

“He is a player who can prevail at any club in the in my opinion. Will it happen? No matter where he would have gone now, Bayern or Liverpool, it's different from being at Leverkusen for sure. But he has all the tools to assert himself at any given top club. So we’re staying excited.”

Leverkusen's managing director for sport Simon Rolfes has confirmed that talks are taking place with Liverpool. He recently appointed Erik ten Hag as Alonso's replacement, though the Dutchman is unlikely to be able to call upon Wirtz next season.

"Flo is currently a Bayer 04 player. There's no doubt there is great interest in him. There is concrete interest from Liverpool but nothing has been decided. There's no latest news," Rolfes said earlier this week.

"Now the coaching position is sorted we will carry on with detailed planning in terms of the squad. Of course, we will really get stuck in now. There will be changes in the team but that's good as well.

"We want to put together a squad where there is a new spirit and new hunger to win trophies. That is and remains our clear target. And Erik has shown he can do that again and again at his previous clubs. We want to write a new chapter."

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