Arne Slot delivers blunt assessment of Florian Wirtz despite five-star display against Wolves

 

 

Liverpool extended their promising form with a gritty 2–1 win over Wolves at Anfield, with Ryan Gravenberch and Florian Wirtz on the scoresheet to seal all three points.

While the victory itself was important, much of the attention centered on Florian Wirtz, who finally registered his first goal for Liverpool after arriving amid enormous expectations.

The highly rated German playmaker, signed with a reputation as one of Europe’s brightest talents, opened his account for the Reds with a superb debut strike that crowned an eye-catching performance.

Despite the buzz around Anfield, head coach Arne Slot was quick to keep expectations in check, stressing that Wirtz’s first goal should be viewed as a starting point rather than a finished product. Speaking after the match, Slot delivered a calm and balanced evaluation of the midfielder’s display.

Although clearly satisfied with Wirtz’s impact, the Dutch manager was careful to dampen the growing hype, pointing out that there is still room for improvement, particularly in terms of end product.

Slot admitted that the opening goal would bring relief but emphasized that Liverpool will expect more consistent goals and assists from the German moving forward.

Reflecting on the performance, Slot said:

“In football, results define teams and goals and assists define players. Sometimes we overlook the other things a player brings to a game. He has already had several strong performances for us and I see him improving with every match.

“He’s getting fitter all the time and you could sense his first goal was coming. So it didn’t surprise me that he scored today. But he would also agree that one goal isn’t enough. He will score many more for us. I really liked his performance for large periods of the game — he was special in many moments.”

While Slot is pushing for greater output, Wirtz’s numbers against Wolves highlighted just how influential he was in midfield. Finding space between the lines and driving Liverpool forward, the 22-year-old dictated the tempo of the game.

His goal showcased his individual quality, but his overall contribution underlined his importance to the team. It was a commanding midfield display that hints Wirtz could become the driving force of this Liverpool side for many years to come.