Liverpool head coach Arne Slot says Florian Wirtz‘s mental fortitude is his “biggest strength,” despite his brilliance as an elite technical player.
Wirtz is preparing to make his Premier League debut for the Reds on Friday, as the champions kick-off their season at home to Bournemouth.
Expectations are high with the 22-year-old, following his record-breaking move to Liverpool, and he has the potential to be the club’s biggest signing in close to a decade.
• READ: How Florian Wirtz has already taken responsibility for Liverpool’s chance-creation
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Slot heaped praise on his new signing, singling out his mentality as his greatest asset.
“He might be young, but he’s already won a lot, so I don’t think we can see him as a young player,” Slot said.
“He won the league in Germany, won the cup, played for his country numerous times, and apart from that, his mentality is maybe his biggest strength.
“That says a lot because if you see him play you’re like, ‘are you serious?’, because he’s so creative.
“He doesn’t get distracted at all by a transfer fee or anything else – good players always find a way to play well in good teams.”
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 10, 2025: Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz applauds the supporters after the FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. Palace won 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Slot went on to discuss integrating Wirtz at Liverpool, saying there isn’t much difference to what Xabi Alonso demanded of him at Bayer Leverkusen.
“We have a very good player-care department, so I am not looking for houses together with him!” Slot joked.
“But on the training ground and in videos, he needs help to understand the way we want to play, and that’s not 180 degrees different to Xabi Alonso.
“The system is different, but we want to be intense and Alonso wanted to be intense.
“He liked to dominate possession and tried to bring him in positions that we want to try and bring him in.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“But it’s true he has to adjust to England – to the league, to the intensity and his new teammates – but if you saw the games, his adjustment went quite well.
“Better than we even expected, and we already expected a lot.”
Excitement is building in the lead-up to Wirtz’s ‘proper’ Liverpool debut on Friday, with those inside Anfield hoping to witness a masterclass.
The early signs have been promising, with the Reds’ No. 7 catching the eye in the Community Shield last weekend, combining technical class with a strong work ethic.
Too much pressure on a player can be unhelpful, but the fact that Slot speaks so highly of Wirtz’s mentality suggests he won’t be fazed by what is expected of him.