Liverpool boss Arne Slot has come to the defence of Florian Wirtz after the German midfielder was left on the bench during last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa, as reported by SoftFootball.
Slot explained the move was purely down to fatigue and the demanding nature of the Premier League schedule, insisting the young star has already proven his quality.
In his press conference, as quoted by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano via his verified X handle, Slot explained Wirtz’s absence from the starting lineup, saying:
We played many times in few days… for a player from different league, PL is a bit more intense but he already made an impact
Slot went on to praise Wirtz’s quick adaptation to English football, even comparing it to Ryan Gravenberch’s more gradual adjustment after his own Bundesliga move.
Slot added with a smile:
Ryan was sitting here earlier, it took him a little longer to adapt, maybe even longer than it’s taking Florian
Wirtz, who was named the Germany footballer of the year last month, joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2025 and has faced early criticism for his physicality and lack of end product. But his manager remains calm and confident. Slot said:
He’s the type of player who always wants the ball. That kind of hunger and courage is what helps players improve fast.
Despite going six league games without a goal or assist, Wirtz made a strong debut and has shown glimpses of creativity and composure. Slot believes it’s only a matter of time before the midfielder’s performances explode. He concluded:
Honestly, his adaptation’s going better than we expected.
Liverpool fans might need a little patience, but Slot’s words make one thing clear: Florian Wirtz is here to stay, and his best is yet to come.
