Ex-Liverpool star Joe Cole says Arne Slot's decision to start four new signings, including Florian Wirtz, on the opening day of the season backfired as team balance suffered
Samuel Meade and James Findlater Content Editor
09:52, 21 Feb 2026
Liverpool's German midfielder #07 Florian Wirtz shakes hands with Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot as he is substituted during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on January 31, 2026
Florian Wirtz struggled early on after making the move to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Former Liverpool star Joe Cole has suggested that Arne Slot's decision to field all of his new signings from the very first game of the season proved counterproductive — suggesting he should have "drip fed them in" as the team's overall balance appeared to suffer.
The Reds opened their campaign on a Friday evening against Bournemouth, widely regarded as heavy favourites to retain their title come May. The champions had invested enormous sums over the summer, breaking the British transfer record on two occasions, and wasted little time in deploying their new recruits.
Slot named over £200 million ($270M) worth of new talent in his starting line-up, with Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez filling both full-back positions. Florian Wirtz was deployed as the team's creative force, with Hugo Ekitike spearheading the attack.
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The Frenchman got on the scoresheet in the first half against Bournemouth, building on the goal he had netted in the Community Shield. However, whilst his Anfield debut proved encouraging, others struggled to match that form, with Wirtz's difficult early adaptation period well documented — his output in the final third proving particularly limited.
Liverpool squandered a two-goal advantage that evening against the Cherries, before netting twice in the closing stages to secure the victory, yet the early warning signs that would later come back to haunt them were already apparent.
Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike in action for Liverpool
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 08: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool react during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on February 08, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Cole told The Mirror : "I think they recognized the age of the squad was getting on. I think they were right in recruiting when they were at the top, the mistake I think they made was starting with four new players at the start of the season. The first time in Premier League history that a champion has started with four new players.
"So I think it was the right thing to recruit, but maybe with hindsight they'd have gone we shouldn't have started them all, maybe drip feed them in."
Slot was willing to alter a winning formula, but Wirtz, a traditional playmaker, was introduced to the side, prompting subtle adjustments that left the team somewhat unbalanced.
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"Balance in midfield is crucial, sometimes its not the best players that should play," said Cole. "I think [Alexis] Mac Allister is different to Wirtz, even though they'd both be classed as 10s, Mac Allister would be more comfortable playing deep. So that helped with the balance and that's the managers job.
"I'd have kept the midfield three at the start of the season, that style, and bought Wirtz on when games were opening up. I've never managed a game in my life, but I think the balance of the midfield from the start of the season has been a little bit off."