Liverpool manager Arne Slot has firmly rejected Arsène Wenger's explosive claim that playing Florian Wirtz as a number ten has 'destroyed Liverpool's midfield'. The £116m summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen is yet to register a goal or assist in the Premier League ahead of Sunday's crucial clash with Manchester City.
Wenger's Scathing Assessment
The former Arsenal manager delivered his withering analysis on beIN Sports, suggesting Wirtz's insistence on playing centrally forced Liverpool to break up their effective midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. 'They have gone back to their midfield of last year,' Wenger claimed, though he did acknowledge this restoration coincided with improved performances and clean sheets against Aston Villa and Real Madrid.
Slot's Firm Rebuttal
While respecting Wenger's right to an opinion, Slot presented a different perspective. 'Florian needs time to adapt to his teammates and teammates need time to adapt to him,' the Liverpool head coach stated. He emphasised that Wirtz's position is less important than developing understanding within the squad, pointing to the player's impressive display off the left in the Champions League victory over Real Madrid.
Slot revealed his frustration at having to change the team more than desired, citing injuries to key players like Mac Allister, Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong and Alexander Isak as unavoidable reasons. He became unusually agitated when explaining these forced changes, stating he simply had no alternative.
Versatility and Future Potential
Dismissing positional concerns, Slot highlighted Wirtz's adaptability. 'He was mainly used in a 3-4-3 system as an inverted winger' under Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen, Slot noted, adding that Wirtz occupies a similar role for the German national team. The challenge, according to Slot, is ensuring Wirtz receives the ball in dangerous areas, whether operating as a number ten or an inverted winger.
In a revealing aside, Slot confirmed that Manchester City were initially keen on signing Wirtz but were deterred by the financial package, while the player's camp had reservations about Pep Guardiola's long-term future at the Etihad.
There was positive news on the injury front, with Alexander Isak returning to training after a groin problem. Slot remains confident that Wirtz will become a dominant figure in the Premier League, believing his special talent will shine through once he fully settles at Anfield.
