Arne Slot has hailed Liverpool's new "weapon" Florian Wirtz, saying the club-record signing can help fill the creative void left by Trent Alexander-Arnold's departure to Real Madrid.
- Slot praises new Liverpool signing Wirtz
- Alexander-Arnold left creative hole following Real move
- Wirtz makes Anfield bow in Athletic Club victory
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WHAT HAPPENED?
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.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
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.
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WHAT SLOT SAID
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."
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DID YOU KNOW?
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.
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