Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has set a clear benchmark for new record signing Florian Wirtz, insisting the German midfielder must aim to match the consistency and fitness levels of Mohamed Salah if he is to fulfil expectations at Anfield.
The 22-year-old, signed from Bayer Leverkusen for a club-record £100 million potentially rising to £116 million with add-ons will make his Premier League debut against Bournemouth in the season opener. Slot believes Wirtz’s adaptation has been quicker than anticipated, but stressed that proving himself in the long term will be the real test.
According to Slot, the key to greatness is more than talent alone. He pointed to football icons like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Salah as examples of players who remain consistently fit and available season after season. In Slot’s view, staying injury-free in the physically demanding Premier League will be Wirtz’s first big challenge, and only then will fans witness his full potential.
Liverpool see Wirtz as a transformative addition, comparable to the impact of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker when they arrived. However, Slot denied suggestions that the signing was purely a statement of intent, noting that the club has a history of making big-money acquisitions when necessary, balanced by significant player sales. He also highlighted that Wirtz offers a different profile to the current squad, filling a gap rather than duplicating existing qualities.
Liverpool’s ambitious summer rebuild continues, with total spending set to exceed £300 million upon the imminent arrival of 18-year-old defender Giovanni Leoni from Parma for £26 million. The club is also targeting further reinforcements, including Marc Guéhi and Alexander Isak.
This transfer activity has been driven by notable departures. Slot admitted he would have preferred to keep Trent Alexander-Arnold but had to move quickly to replace him after his exit. Similarly, decisions were made regarding Caoimhín Kelleher and Jarell Quansah, whose limited playing time made it difficult for them to remain mentally engaged over consecutive seasons. Additionally, the futures of Luís Díaz and Darwin Núñez were resolved, prompting further signings to strengthen the squad.
Slot expressed confidence in Liverpool’s recruitment strategy, stating that from the available market options, the club secured all of its preferred targets. The focus now shifts to integrating these new faces with Wirtz in particular carrying the expectation of becoming a central figure in Liverpool’s push for continued success.
