Image Credits: Imago Images
Florian Wirtz joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen for a staggering £116million in the summer.
However, Wirtz’s start to life in the Premier League has been far from smooth, as he has struggled to adapt to the league’s physical demands.
While the 22-year-old impressed against Real Madrid in the Champions League, he is yet to register a goal or assist in England’s top flight.
The German international has shown flashes of creativity so far in his 16 appearances.
Slot recently defended Wirtz, emphasising patience with the midfielder as he adapts to life at Liverpool.
Slot said: “You can say he has started one of the last four but you can say he has started eight, nine, 10 or 11 games this season.
“I’ve said this quite a lot, not to be used as an excuse but to tell it how it is; many times we have had to play three games in seven days with no rest in between.
“For a player who comes from a different league, which is a very good league by the way, but people would agree the Premier League is a bit more intense in all of the games.
“The top games (in the Premier League and Bundesliga) are similar but all of the games.
“If you look at that, he has already played a lot in many games but he’s been unlucky with the end product either by himself or his team-mates.
“For me, he’s already brought exactly what was expected. He creates a lot for the team and will have his goals.
“I don’t think it comes to a surprise to anyone that if you’re 22 or 23 and come to a different league, you might need some time to adjust to that intensity if you play every three days, with only two days’ rest in between.
“Before Ryan Gravenberch was sitting here [in the press conference] and it took him a while to adjust to the intensity, maybe even longer than it is going to take Florian.”
According to German newspaper BILD, Wirtz is considered a leader and the face of the future at Liverpool FC.
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