Wirtz’s creativity can make up for Trent loss: Reds’ boss Slot

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure to Real Madrid has left Liverpool wanting for creativity but the signing of attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz can help offset that deficiency, the Premier League club’s manager Arne Slot said.

Liverpool smashed their transfer record in June to sign Wirtz and bolster their attacking options, with the German international having scored 57 goals and provided 65 assists in 197 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen.

Wirtz played in a Liverpool shirt for the first time at Anfield on Monday, putting in an impressive performance in the Merseyside club’s 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao in a pre-season match.

“I think there’s always room for improvement in every department. Like I said, we’ve added a few, in my opinion, extra weapons. So, Florian (Wirtz) has a lot of creativity in the final third,” Slot told reporters.

“We’ve lost with Trent (Alexander-Arnold) a lot of creativity from the back. Trent’s crosses and picking out runners was so special - I think Flo has this quality as well in a totally different position.

“But he brings that creativity, the pace of Hugo (Ekitike), the pace of both full-backs - Milos (Kerkez) and Jeremie (Frimpong) today.”

Liverpool, who won the Premier League to secure a record-equalling 20th English title, have been busy in the transfer market as they look to build on last season’s success.

Slot said it was crucial to strengthen the squad.

“Our competitors are not sitting still,” he added.

“Not only they try to improve as well but they have also made a lot of signings, like we all have done. So that’s why it’s going to be a very interesting Premier League in the upcoming year again.”

Liverpool take on FA Cup winners Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on Aug. 10, before beginning their Premier League title defence against Bournemouth at Anfield on Aug. 15.

Wirtz unfazed by huge price tag: Wirtz says his huge price tag ‘doesn’t matter’ as he prepares for his first season in the Premier League after a switch to champions Liverpool from Leverkusen.

The attacking midfielder arrived at Anfield for an initial £100 million that could rise to £116 million with add-ons, making his move a potential British record.

However, speaking after impressing friendly win over Bilbao, the 22-year-old brushed off the size of his transfer fee.

“I don’t think about it. I just want to play football and how much money the clubs pay between each other, it doesn’t matter,” he said.

“Of course the big challenge is to win the title again and it is the most difficult thing so (I will) try and just create chances and also work against the ball.

“I can also run a lot so (I will) bring this to the team and then with the ball I can make the team better and bring my teammates into better situations.”

Germany international Wirtz said he was relishing the challenge.

“There are some differences to Germany but I think there is also something I can learn and make me better so I am really looking forward to it,” he said.

“It’s more intense and more physical, every player is really strong, really fast. That is what everybody is telling me.”

Big spenders: Liverpool have spent more than £250 million so far in the summer transfer window on a clutch of new players including Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, who also came from Leverkusen, and Giorgi Mamardashvili.

The club are understood to have made a bid of around £110 million plus potential add-ons for unsettled Newcastle striker Alexander Isak last week, which was rejected.

Manager Arne Slot said that there was “always room for improvement” despite the club’s march to a record-equalling 20th league title last season.

Slot said in his programme notes that it had been a “tough time for everyone connected with the club, but especially for Diogo’s family, his wife, his children and friends”.

“We cannot imagine the pain that they have been going through, and the club will continue to give them all the support they can going forward,” he wrote.

“We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go.”

Agencies