Credit: Imago/Breaking Media/Hasan Karim

Chris Smith

Tue 5 August 2025 16:25, UK

Arne Slot has backed Florian Wirtz to match Trent Alexander-Arnold’s level of creative output for Liverpool.

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Alexander-Arnold‘s time at Anfield was brought to an end this summer as he joined Real Madrid, but not before registering 92 assists in 354 appearances for the Reds, lifting Premier League and Champions League titles along the way — among other major honours.

Although he plays in a different position, Wirtz will have to replace Alexander-Arnold’s creativity.

At least, that’s how Slot sees it.

“Florian has a lot of creativity in the final third, and we have lost with Trent [leaving], a lot of creativity from the back,” he said following Monday’s double friendly wins over Athletic Club (BBC, 5 August).

“Trent’s crosses and picking out runners was so special – Flo has this quality in a totally different position.

He brings that creativity.”

Wirtz vs Alexander-Arnold in 2024/25 (Credit: FotMob)

Wirtz certainly boasts incredible creative numbers of his own, having registered 65 assists during his 197 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen.

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Solely analysing the 2024/25 campaign, the Germany international notched 12 assists in 2,355 Bundesliga minutes, creating 57 chances to the tune of 9.44 xA (FotMob).

Alexander-Arnold, by comparison, managed six assists from 7.37 xA, with 53 chances created in 2,377 Premier League minutes.

Of course, Wirtz playing further forward will naturally boost his numbers, but that may just serve to change Liverpool‘s approach slightly.

The Reds now have the all-rounder Conor Bradley and explosive Jeremie Frimpong on the right, with the addition of Wirtz serving to make Liverpool less reliant on their full-backs than they were during the Jurgen Klopp era.

Wirtz and Alexander-Arnold are two very different players, but the former certainly has the track record to prove he can replace the creativity of the latter at Anfield, albeit in a different position.

Marc Guehi wants to join Liverpool (Credit:Hasan Karim Breaking Media)

Liverpool have been doing their best to bully Newcastle all summer, stealing Hugo Ekitike from under their noses before making a serious push for Alexander Isak.

And they may be about to rub further salt into the wound in the Marc Guehi chase.

Newcastle pushed to sign the Crystal Palace defender throughout last summer, but the Eagles wouldn’t budge, with Guehi going on to captain them to an FA Cup triumph.

The Magpies have returned to the table again this summer, but this time, face competition from Liverpool, who are on the lookout for a new centre-back amid Real Madrid’s interest in Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk turning 34.

And according to former Premier League scout Mick Brown, Guehi only has eyes for Liverpool, with Newcastle facing the prospect of being forced to switch to other targets.

“From what I hear, that interest in Guehi is still there, but he wants the Liverpool move,” he told Football Insider.

“So Newcastle have been looking at other options, including Van Hecke from Brighton.”

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