'I respect players!' - Florian Wirtz furiously DENIES wanting to take Liverpool's No.10 shirt off Alexis Mac Allister as Bayer Leverkusen star sends warning to press

Bayer Leverkusen star Wirtz has taken to social media to deny he wants to take Alexis Mac Allister's number 10 shirt if he completes a transfer to Liverpool. The Reds are thought to be close to finalising a deal but some reports have claimed the Germany international is adamant on wearing the same number he has in Leverkusen at Anfield.

Wirtz became Leverkusen's number 10 at the start of the 2023-24 season and played a pivotal role as Xabi Alonso's side won a historic domestic double. However, World Cup winner Mac Allister was handed the same jersey upon his arrival at Liverpool from Brighton and may not be so keen to relinquish it so easily.

Posting on his Instagram account, Wirtz wrote: "Who says I want the 🔟. I respect players. Don't believe everything what's written 🤡"

Before Mac Allister, Liverpool's number 10 shirt was donned by Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho, while former Anfield stars like Michael Owen and Luis Garcia have worn it since the turn of the millennium.

While Liverpool attempt to wrap up a deal for Wirtz over the coming days, the attacker himself will be in action as Germany take on Portugal on Wednesday night for a place in the Nations League final.