Slot insists Wirtz has ‘brought exactly what we expected’ before Real Madrid tie

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Arne Slot has defended Florian Wirtz before Real Madrid’s visit in the Champions League and insisted the £116m signing has produced “exactly what we expected” at this stage of his Liverpool career.The playmaker was on the bench for the win against Aston Villa on Saturday and also omitted from Slot’s starting lineup against Manchester United, Chelsea and Everton having struggled to make an impact in the Premier League. Slot attributed that barren run to bad luck and said the Germany international will justify Liverpool’s then-record investment once he adapts to the intensity of English football.Florian Wirtz provided two assists during Liverpool’s victory against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.

Photograph: Andre Weening/Orange Pictures/Shutterstock“You can say he’s started one of the last four [two of the last four] but you can also say he’s started 10 already this season,” said the Liverpool head coach, who will again be without the injured Alexander Isak, Alisson and Jeremie Frimpong against Real.“I’ve said this quite a lot, not as an excuse but just how it is; many times we have to play three games in seven days with only two days’ rest in between. He has had his impact in a lot of games but has been unlucky with the end product either by himself or his teammates.“For me, he brought exactly what we expected, a player who created a lot for the team.

He will have his goals but I don’t think it comes as a surprise to anyone that if you’re 22 or 23 and come to a different league that you might need some time to adjust to that intensity if you play every three days. He has quality and personality and he’s competitive.