Arne Slot reveals how Florian Wirtz has wowed Liverpool squad: ‘Are you serious?!’

Arne Slot says Florian Wirtz has exceeded Liverpool’s high expectations so far, but says his “biggest strength” outweighs his ability on the ball.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder signed from Bayer Leverkusen this summer in a deal which could reach a British transfer record £116million.

Wirtz has already scored his first goal for Liverpool during pre-season, and showed early signs of a threatening partnership with fellow newcomer Hugo Ekitike when setting up his early goal in the Community Shield last weekend.

But it is what is going on between his ears that makes his new manager most confident of Wirtz making an instant impact as he prepares to make his Premier League debut on Friday.

Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s opening match against Bournemouth, Slot said Wirtz is “experienced” despite his age.

“He’s already won a lot, so I don’t think… we can see him as a young player, he is experienced – [he] won the Bundesliga, plays for Germany,” said the Liverpool manager.

“His mentality is his biggest strength, which says a lot because you see him play and you think: ‘Are you serious!?’

Slot continued: “He doesn’t get distracted by transfer fee. Good players always find a way to play good football.

“It’s true he has to adjust to England, intensity and his new team-mates but if you saw the games it went quite well; better than expected, and we already expected a lot.”

Slot also addressed Liverpool’s rivalry at right-back between Conor Bradley – currently injured, but previously viewed by many as the long-term successor to the departed Trent Alexander-Arnold – and summer signing Jeremie Frimpong, who joined Wirtz in making the switch from Leverkusen.

“In my opinion Jeremie and Conor are similar, but Jeremie is maybe better in one-v-ones than Conor,” Slot said.

“If you play against these two, you know you have to be aware of them, so maybe Mo [Salah] gets more space. If you isolate them, it is difficult [for the opposition] as well.

Slot added: “So, it’s different types but Trent [Alexander-Arnold] proved it with Mo, he brought the best out of Mo and we think the same will happen with Conor and Jeremie.”