Liverpool manager Arne Slot has backed Florian Wirtz to come good at Anfield and suggested the reason behind the midfielder’s struggles as the German attempts to adapt to the Premier League.
Arne Slot has commented on Florian Wirtz‘s transition to Liverpool, acknowledging the increased intensity of the Premier League compared to the Bundesliga.
The Reds’ manager suggests that Wirtz could take a leaf out of Ryan Gravenberch’s book as he strives to make his mark in England following his then-British record transfer from Bayer Leverkusen. Wirtz, who joined Liverpool in a £116m deal, has failed to assert his influence, with Slot’s team losing four of their last five Premier League matches.
The 22-year-old is yet to score or assist in the league and was brought on as a substitute in the win over Aston Villa on Saturday, but he may be back in the starting line-up when the Reds face Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.
However, Slot is satisfied with what the attacking midfielder has shown so far and is confident that he will eventually find his feet at Liverpool.
“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 stated.
“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.
“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.”