Liverpool manager Arne Slot has left his £116 million summer signing Florian Wirtz on the bench for Saturday's crunch Premier League clash with Chelsea. The new arrival has made a slow start to life at Anfield following his move from Bayer Leverkusen, which has brought plenty of criticism, and he has now been taken out of the starting XI by his manager.
Jamie Carragher admits that Liverpool are missing Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the Reds' class of 2025-26 yet to click into gear. Arne Slot spent heavily during the summer transfer window, with record-shattering deals being completed for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak. They are yet to settle in new surroundings, with the Premier League title holders considered to be missing creative and attacking sparks.
Jamie Carragher immediately expressed his concerns over Arne Slot's tactics after Liverpool had won their opening game of the new season against Bournemouth. So he was never going to hold back after watching the disturbingly ragged Reds slump to a second consecutive defeat in Tuesday's Champions League clash with Galatasaray.
Florian Wirtz endured a torrid evening for Liverpool against Galatasaray as the Reds fell to a 1-0 defeat in the Champions League. Wirtz played the full 90 minutes but struggled to make a significant impact on the game, and he is still waiting for his first goal contribution for the Reds after eight appearances. His latest performance has led to criticism from fans and pundits, with Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher among those who believe he should be dropped from the starting lineup.
Wayne Rooney has delivered a damning assessment of Florian Wirtz, claiming that the £116 million ($156m) star “damages” Liverpool. The German playmaker was acquired by the Reds, in what was a British record transfer at the time, to provide more creativity for the reigning Premier League champions. He has endured a slow start to life in English football, with questions already being asked of his place in Arne Slot’s strongest starting XI.
Following the release of EA Sports FC 26, GOAL's Front Three have stepped in to amend some player ratings, with Casemiro, Cole Palmer and Harry Kane's numbers all adjusted.
Arne Slot has decided to leave both of his big new signings, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, on the bench for Liverpool's massive Merseyside clash against Everton. Wirtz has started all six games for the Reds this season, while Isak made a 60-minute debut for the Premier League champions in the Champions League earlier this week. Hugo Ekitike starts up top for Slot's side at Anfield instead.
There are obviously two ways of looking at Liverpool's 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday evening. On the plus side, they scored another late winner. On the negative side, they needed another late winner.
Liverpool have secured a big victory off the pitch after it was revealed the club only had to part with a small sum this summer in order to land both Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak. The Reds signed Wirtz, 22, and Isak, 25, in eye-catching deals which could eventually reach a combined total of £241 million (€278m/$326m).
Former Germany star Michael Ballack has backed Florian Wirtz to show his quality at Liverpool, insisting the midfielder's slow start is nothing to worry about.
Germany bounced back from their disappointing World Cup qualifying loss to Slovakia by beating Northern Ireland 3-1, with Liverpool new boy Florian Wirtz grabbing the pick of the goals.
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