Liverpool’s pre-season campaign roared into life with a 3-1 win over Preston North End, but all eyes were on the one man not in red at Deepdale — Florian Wirtz.
The £116 million headline act was nowhere to be seen, sparking immediate questions. The answer? Arne Slot is not here for hype. He’s here for precision.
Wirtz, fit but firmly stationed at Kirkby, was one of ten first-teamers left out to focus on fitness. Alongside him: Van Dijk, Alisson, Konate, Diaz, and Mac Allister — names that would headline any team sheet.
But Slot isn’t throwing players into meaningless minutes. Not after a summer shaken by the tragic death of Diogo Jota and emotionally charged tributes that have marked Liverpool’s sombre return to action.
There are no smoke screens here. No “slight niggle” PR fluff. Wirtz is being wrapped in tactical silk, his debut deliberately delayed until the Asia tour, most likely against AC Milan in Hong Kong on July 26.
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No Wirtz, no panic, just purpose
For a club chasing titles across four fronts, there’s no room for miscalculation. Instead, Slot offered a glimpse of Liverpool 2.0—sharp, flexible, and ruthless.
Giorgi Mamardashvili made his first start in goal, with Joe Gomez anchoring a makeshift backline alongside academy prospect Luca Stephenson.
Salah led the attack, but it was Conor Bradley and Darwin Nunez who struck early. Cody Gakpo sealed the deal late on, after Preston pulled one back.
Darwin Núñez with the Diogo Jota celebration after scoring in Liverpool's preseason friendly at Preston 🎮❤️ pic.twitter.com/jmQvikyhK3
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) July 13, 2025
Youngsters Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha caught the eye, while new signings Frimpong and Kerkez waited in the wings. The 4-2-3-1 system? A quiet warning: Slot is not a Klopp clone. He’s carving his own shape.
No Wirtz? No problem—for now. Liverpool’s silent weapon remains under wraps, but when he lands, it won’t be for a cameo. Slot’s message is clear: we’re playing the long game, and the record man will arrive only when the spotlight truly matters.
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