placeholder image
AFP via Getty Images
Arne Slot was asked about the role Florian Wirtz could play in Liverpool’s Champions League quarter-final clash against PSG.
Arne Slot insists that Liverpool did not purchase Florian Wirtz to bridge the gap on Paris Saint-Germain - and that the attacking midfielder was purchased to make the Reds better in the long term.
Liverpool splashed out £100 million to sign Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen last summer - a club-record fee at the time. The Reds beat Bayern Munich to the signature of the Germany international, who was regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting prospect.
Wirtz has endured somewhat of a difficult maiden season at Anfield. He has recorded six goals and 10 assists in 43 appearances.
Liverpool’s Premier League title defence has been disappointing while they are currently facing elimination from the Champions League at the hands of PSG for successive seasons. Last term, the Reds were beaten on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate draw. Ahead of Tuesday’s second leg at Anfield, Slot’s side trail 2-0 after a comprehensive defeat in the French capital.
Given the fee Liverpool paid for Wirtz, there are those hoping he can deliver a match-winning performance. But Slot says that the ex-Cologne man’s arrival was not unique and that he fits into the same bracket of Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Jeremy Jacquet - who will join from Rennes in the summer for up to £60 million - with the aim for the Reds to make sustained challenges for silverware down the line.
The Liverpool head coach said: “What we did after Jurgen Klopp left and we always knew there would be a transition, sooner or later there'd be a cycle. We spent the money on young talented players who had their time to build on the same cycle as the last seven or eight years with some who have already left or are leaving at end of the season. “We brought in young talented players to create a new cycle. Therefore we needed a lot of players to leave to find the money to buy them.
“We didn't add Wirtz to the team because we got beat by PSG last season. We bought him to be successful in the future, which could be the short-term or the mid to long-term future. “I'm convinced maybe tomorrow, maybe next season, he will have special moments here at Anfield, like Hugo, Milos, Jeremie and we're bringing another in Jeremy Jacquet. Tomorrow is the first great opportunity for him or the others. But we didn't bring him in for this single game.”
Slot was also asked about the future of Ibrahima Konate, who was born in Paris and is out of contract at the end of the season. Slot remained tight-lipped amid reports the centre-back is in talks over fresh terms.
"I think it's going to be a special evening for Ibou,” said Slot. “Only for a small point because he's French but a big part because he's in a Champions League quarter-final. A special night for him and all the other players. We don't talk about contracts in public."
Continue Reading