Liverpool FC head coach Arne Slot has commended Florian Wirtz for his improved play in recent weeks after a poor start to the 2025-2026 season.
Wirtz, a 100 million pound buy from Bayer Leverkusen ahead of this season, has scored in his last two games to increase his tally to six goals and eight assists in 32 games in all competitions.
Slot commended Wirtz in a pre-game conference as Liverpool prepare to take on Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday, February 8.
Man City rank second in the league standings but trail leaders Arsenal by six points and a loss to Liverpool could spell major doom for the club’s title ambitions.
Reviewing Wirtz’s improvement in recent weeks, Slot pointed to the German international’s work rate off the ball as the standout point.
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, acknowledges the fans after the team’s victory during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Liverpool FC (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)
“I think he didn’t improve that much on the ball because from the start he was special maybe now he has a better connection with his teammates because they’ve played more and more together.”
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool scores his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between Liverpool FC and Qarabag FK (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“Off the ball is where I see the biggest improvement with him, and some others, and that combination makes you ready for the Premier League” Slot said.
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool runs off the ball whilst under pressure from Jacob Ramsey of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
