Florian Wirtz’s Liverpool performances have come under scrutiny but Arne Slot has been pleased with what he has seen and reckon one Reds star proves there is no reason to panic
Arne Slot has defended Florian Wirtz(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has defended summer signing Florian Wirtz and pointed to his team-mate as a reason not to worry about his early difficulties. The Dutch coach believes the time taken for Ryan Gravenberch to settle at Anfield should serve as inspiration.
Wirtz, 22, joined Liverpool in a record deal in the transfer window and arrived with heavy expectations. Despite a winning start, Slot has struggled to find balance in his team and the German international has struggled to assert himself as a key player.
After producing 16 goals and 15 assists in 45 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen last term, Wirtz has managed three assists in 14 games for Liverpool. The Reds star has failed to register a goal contribution in 10 Premier League games thus far.
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But Slot has not lost faith in the German playmaker, even though he has dropped out of the starting XI. Liverpool’s head coach brushed off concerns and suggested Gravenberch’s turnaround in fortunes should be remembered.
The midfielder endured a tough first season after moving from Bayern Munich, but was integral as Liverpool won the league last season. Wirtz is still creating enough for Slot as it is, however.
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“You can say he [has only] started one of the last four but you can also say he’s started eight, nine, 10 or 11 already this season,” Slot said. “I’ve said this quite a lot, it is not being used as an excuse but just how it is, many times we have to play three games in seven days with only two days’ rest in between.
“For a player who comes from a different league – which is a very good league by the way – nine out of 10 people would agree the Premier League is a bit more intense, especially in all the games. If you look at that then he already played a lot.
“He has had his impact in a lot of games but has been unlucky with the end product either by himself or his team-mates. For me, he exactly brought what we expected, a player who created a lot for the team.
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool looks on prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
“He will have his goals but I don’t think it comes as a surprise to anyone that if you’re 22 or 23 and come to a different league that you might need some time to adjust to that intensity if you play every three days, with only two days’ rest in between.
“Before, Ryan Gravenberch was sitting here (in the press conference) and it took him a while to adjust to the intensity, maybe even longer than it is going to take Florian.”
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