Arne Slot gives verdict on 'weapon' Florian Wirtz after Athletic Club win as he explains why German is Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold replacement

Wirtz, 22, who joined the Reds in a £116 million ($156m) move from Bayer Leverkusen this summer, made his first Anfield appearance in the club's 3-2 win over Athletic Club in pre-season on Monday. That was his fourth start for the Reds during pre-season, with his first goal for his new club having come in the 3-1 win over Yokohama F. Marinos.

The Germany international gave Liverpool fans a glimpse of what they can expect from him in the 2025-26 season, with his clever link-up play often reminiscent of Alexander-Arnold, who was one of the Premier League champions' main creative outlets before sealing a switch to Real this summer.

When asked how Liverpool are shaping up ahead of the new season, Slot heaped praise on Wirtz's creativity, saying: "I think there is always room for improvement in every department and we have added a few, in my opinion, extra weapons. Florian has a lot of creativity in the final third and we have lost with Trent a lot of creativity from the back.

"Trent's crosses and picking out runners was so special - Flo has this quality in a totally different position. He brings that creativity."

Wirtz was not the only new Liverpool signing on show against Athletic Club, as Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike also featured following their summer moves from Leverkusen, Bournemouth and Eintracht Frankfurt respectively.

Liverpool are next in action when they contest the Community Shield against Crystal Palace at Wembley on Sunday. The Reds will then take on Bournemouth in their first Premier League match of the 2025-26 season at Anfield on August 15.