Arne Slot has wasted no time tossing the gauntlet at Florian Wirtz’s feet. Liverpool’s new record signing hasn’t even kicked a Premier League ball yet, but the Dutchman has made it clear: if Wirtz wants to fulfil Liverpool’s lofty expectations, he must chase the benchmark set by Mohamed Salah – a man who scores opening-day goals like it’s an Olympic sport.
Wirtz’s £100m arrival from Bayer Leverkusen was as subtle as a fireworks display. He could eventually cost £116m with add-ons, making him the kind of player that screams “game-changer” in six languages. But Slot is already sprinkling in reality checks. “Why are Messi, Ronaldo, and Mo so highly regarded?” he asked. “Because they are always fit. Every single game.” Translation: brilliance is great, but durability is king.
Slot knows the history of big-money hits
Slot denies Wirtz is a “statement signing” – which is adorable, because when you outbid Bayern Munich and Manchester City, you’re basically making a statement in capital letters. Still, he insists Liverpool have been here before. Alisson Becker. Virgil van Dijk. Both big buys. Both transformative. With inflation doing its thing, Wirtz’s price tag fits right into Anfield’s premium aisle.
More importantly, Slot believes Wirtz offers a different profile to Liverpool’s current attacking arsenal – think a Swiss Army knife with Bundesliga polish.
Slot’s summer makeover at Anfield
This summer has been like a particularly intense game of Football Manager for Slot. Trent Alexander-Arnold? Gone. Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez? Going back out the door. Caoimhín kelleher and Jarell qunash? Also out. In came replacements – and soon, 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni from Parma, plus targets Marc Guéhi and Alexander Isak.
Slot calls it “replacing smartly.” Fans call it “please let all of this work.”
Slot’s bottom line for Wirtz
If Wirtz can stay fit, adjust to England’s footballing maelstrom, and occasionally make Salah look over his shoulder, Liverpool’s attack could reach terrifying new heights. If not, well… Slot’s reminder is clear: expectations are one thing, realisation is another. And the Premier League doesn’t do participation trophies.
As featured on Walkon.com
