'He suggested': Florian Wirtz shares what Arne Slot has privately told him about his early form for Liverpool
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Florian Wirtz has struggled since signing for Liverpool this summer, but it is too early to make a harsh judgment on the star.
The German signed for the Reds in June from Bayer Leverkusen for just over £100 million, following an incredibly successful run in their invincible Bundesliga season.
However, with all the hype surrounding the immensely talented midfielder and the price tag attached to him, the fact that he has not hit the ground running at Anfield has been the subject of much debate and criticism.
Wirtz’s appearances so far have seen the star show some great qualities off the ball, but he has not been able to influence the game or contribute as much as he did when he was playing in his native Germany.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
It is difficult to have that influence coming into a new club and country, given the style of play he is used to, and because it is a whole new team, there is still a bedding-in process that is not yet fully completed.
But Arne Slot has continued to give his new signing chances across the opening fixtures this season, and in the Champions League game against Atletico Madrid, there were flashes of brilliance.
The 22-year-old has now spoken to Sky Sports Germany about his start to life on Merseyside and given his honest thoughts on what has happened.
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During this interview, he revealed how Slot explained to him why he has not been able to get into games like he is used to for his country or former club.
In quotes via Bild, Wirtz said: “I recently talked to the coach about it, and he suggested why I might not be able to get into the situations I normally get into.
That is, I’m making the game fast with a dribble or a pass.
He said it could be because we’re pressing a lot and I’m running a lot.”
It is a good assessment of how his first appearances have looked in a red shirt, where he has been running into space, but the ball has not come to him, or he has the ball and is dispossessed easily.
While it has been a difficult start, Slot has taken the pressure off the young player in interviews and privately, as Wirtz has explained.
“The coach told me that here in the squad you don’t have to put pressure on yourself about how much you cost or not, because it feels like everyone around you could cost just as much if they were playing somewhere else,” he said.
It is the physicality that Wirtz has seemed to struggle with since playing in the league, especially when you compare it to the European game he appeared in.
The star has been very open about these struggles, explaining the areas in which he has excelled during training, but also where he falls short.
He said: “For example, the running stats: I’m always at the top there because I try to push myself and do what the coach demands.
When I have the ball, I might be lacking a little bit.
“That’s just coming step by step, as I play more games, get fitter, can do things more easily, and then, when I have the ball, am fit enough and recovered enough to push myself.”
Fans are waiting for him to become the incredible player they know he can be, and there is support among the fanbase for him to push on despite criticisms.