Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot, has once again expressed his admiration for German international Florian Wirtz.
Slot dismissed the notion that Wirtz’s goal and assist numbers in his first year with the Reds have fallen short of expectations, attributing it to «pure coincidence» and asserting, «He will change that.»
The Dutch manager emphasized that Wirtz’s development since his move to England has been «unmistakable.» He provided a specific example of the attacking midfielder’s increasingly robust playing style: «In the 91st minute, he won a duel on the sideline against Crystal Palace, earned a throw-in, sprinted 40 meters, and hammered the ball into the top corner. I’m not entirely sure if he could have done that eight months ago.»
Wirtz arrived as a «world-class player» but has continued to improve. Slot noted that this progression is likely to continue given the 22-year-old’s young age. «Almost every player is in their prime at 25 or 26. That’s the beauty of our summer signings: they are all at an age where they can only get better, as long as they don’t get injured.»
Florian Wirtz has accumulated seven goals and ten assists in 46 competitive matches for the Reds. Currently fourth in the league, Liverpool is out of contention for the title but is on track to secure a Champions League spot once again.
In the final stretch of the season, Liverpool is set to face fierce rivals Manchester United, Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Brentford.
English Translation:
Team manager Arne Slot of English football record club Liverpool FC has once again stood by national player Florian Wirtz.
The Dutchman stated that the new signing’s performance in terms of goals and assists in his first year with the Reds has remained below high expectations due to «pure coincidence» and emphasized, «He will change that.»
Slot highlighted that Wirtz’s development since his move to the island has been «unmistakable,» providing a specific example of the magician’s much more robust playing style. «In the 91st minute, he won a duel on the sideline against Crystal Palace, earned a throw-in, sprinted 40 meters, and hammered the ball into the top corner. I’m not entirely sure if he could have done that eight months ago.»
Wirtz came as a «world-class player» but has improved further – and this will «only continue» given his young age of 22. «Almost every player is in their prime at 25 or 26. That’s the beauty of our summer signings: they are all at an age where they can only improve, as long as they don’t get injured.»
Wirtz has recorded seven goals and ten assists in 46 competitive games for the Reds. Liverpool, currently fourth in the table, no longer has a chance to defend their title but is on the verge of qualifying for the Champions League again.
In the final sprint, they will still play against arch-rivals Manchester United (Sunday, 4:30 PM/Sky), Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Brentford.