Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has publicly backed his club-record signing Florian Wirtz, advising the German playmaker to draw inspiration from a host of Premier League legends who initially struggled to adapt.
Patience Required for Premier League Greats
Speaking on Friday 19 December 2025, Slot addressed Wirtz's slow start since his £100 million move. After 21 games for the Reds, the attacking midfielder is still waiting for his first goal or assist. Slot, however, pointed to a prestigious list of imports who took time to settle.
"Of course, every player would prefer to have a flying start," Slot admitted. "But he is not the first and won't be the last to need to adjust. So many of the best players to ever play here took a while, maybe even longer, to become the stars they are now."
The Dutchman specifically referenced the early careers of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Eden Hazard, David Silva, and Cristiano Ronaldo in England, all of whom needed a period of acclimatisation before showcasing their world-class talent.
Gym Work and Growing Physicality
Slot revealed that Wirtz has been undertaking specific work to cope with the demands of English football. The 22-year-old has been focusing on strength and conditioning in the gym to add muscle mass and better handle the league's renowned physicality.
"Florian has improved a lot," Slot stated, highlighting that while his technical ability was never in doubt, his physical adaptation is progressing. The coach cited moments in a recent match against Brighton where Wirtz effectively used his strength to shield the ball and initiate attacks.
"In those moments you see it gets easier for him," Slot observed. "It takes a lot of effort for him to play at this intensity, but he is getting used to it. That is my take."
Understanding the Bench Role
Wirtz has found himself among the substitutes for several high-profile fixtures this season, including matches against Everton, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Aston Villa. Slot explained that this is part of the process for a player new to the relentless schedule.
"He understood completely the two or three games he was on the bench," Slot said. "These players understand better than the outside world that once in a while they cannot start."
Slot contrasted Wirtz's situation with veterans like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, whose bodies are fully conditioned to playing every three days. The message is clear: adaptation is a process, and for a £100m talent like Florian Wirtz, Liverpool are playing the long game, trusting he will follow in the footsteps of the league's greatest ever imports.
