Arsene Wenger has shared fresh details behind Florian Wirtz’s £116million move to Liverpool over the summer, claiming that one demand made by the German has led to the Reds ‘destroying their midfield’.
The Premier League champions won the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen’s star midfielder during the summer window, setting a new British record transfer fee before breaking it again with the £125m signing of Alexander Isak on deadline day.
Wirtz, who was also heavily pursued by Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich over the summer, has struggled to hit the ground running at Anfield, failing to register a single goal or assist from his 10 Premier League matches so far.
And while Wirtz has struggled, so have Liverpool — Arne Slot’s side suffered six defeats in seven matches before important wins against Aston Villa and Real Madrid.
The Germany international was dropped at the weekend and played in a new position against the Spanish giants on Tuesday, operating wide rather than in Liverpool’s three-man midfield.
Prior to Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Madrid, Wenger revealed why Wirtz’s transfer demand to the Reds over the summer has hampered their form — and what Slot has changed to turn the tide at Anfield.
The Frenchman told beIN SPORTS ahead of kick-off: ‘Liverpool is an interesting example. When Wirtz had the choice between going to Bayern Munich or Liverpool, he said to Liverpool: “I come to you if I play No 10. I do not want to play wide.”
Liverpool, to get him, they say okay. They started him and they destroyed their midfield – which was (Ryan) Gravenberch, (Alexis) Mac Allister, (Dominik) Szoboszlai. To play Wirtz, they took Szoboszlai out.
‘What have they done against Aston Villa? They have gone back to their midfield of last year. And tonight, they play Wirtz — but I’m sure that Wirtz will play on the side. The manager has said: “If you want to play again, you will have to play wide because I do not want to disturb the midfield.”
‘That will be interesting to see tonight. Wirtz is back in the team but certainly will have to play left where he was when he played at Leverkusen.’
Since reverting to his midfield from last season, Slot has carved out successive wins and improved Liverpool’s solidity at the back, keeping clean sheets in both games.
Mac Allister, who has been criticised at times for his poor performances this campaign, scored the winner against Real Madrid and looked far more comfortable alongside Gravenberch and Szoboszlai.
Gravenberch, meanwhile, found the net against Aston Villa on his return to the team.
If playing Wirtz in a wider position is the answer, the Germany midfielder may have to concede on his transfer demand for the good of the team.
However, that could create a knock-on effect for established left winger Cody Gakpo, who was arguably Liverpool’s best attacking threat during the rough patch.
Liverpool’s next test comes on Sunday when they travel to the Etihad to take on in-form Manchester City, who are benefitting from Erling Haaland’s sensational form so far this campaign.
Despite keeping successive clean sheets, Liverpool will be mindful that Haaland has scored 17 goals in just 13 games in all competitions — so defensive solidity and legs in midfield will be firmly on Slot’s mind.
