Gary Neville shares Florian Wirtz verdict after watching him very closely vs Chelsea

Add as preferred source on Google

Despite costing £116m, Florian Wirtz started on the bench for Liverpool again.

The Reds are certainly going through a rough patch right now, which is, arguably, the first one since Arne Slot arrived.

After conceding a last-minute goal to Chelsea, it means Liverpool have now lost three in a row, with the changes that the Dutchman keeps making not seeming to pay dividends.

In Slot’s defence, none of his players have really come to the table just yet, with Wirtz a player who is still yet to make a real impact on the team.

The German started on the bench against Chelsea but came on at half-time to try and make an impact, although Gary Neville was not impressed after watching him very closely.

Florian Wirtz could not get into the game

There is certainly a lot of pressure on Wirtz’s shoulders and great expectation to perform, meaning that every single thing he does will be scrutinised.

The 22-year-old almost produced a stunning assist instantly after coming on, though, and nearly silenced any doubters, but Mohamed Salah failed to put the ball in the back of the net.

Other than that, Liverpool’s new number seven failed to impact the game as much as he would have hoped, with Neville left far from impressed.

“They’re giving the ball away like you wouldn’t believe,” he said on the Gary Neville Podcast after the match.

READ MORE: Arne Slot hints at how Liverpool’s new set-up can still get the best out of Mo Salah despite Chelsea defeat

“I mean, Gakpo down here, Salah over on that far side, with the wastage, Wirtz not knowing how to get into a game in the last 15 minutes when he was there for the taking and just sort of almost marking Caicedo, I was watching him quite a lot and yeah.”

Wirtz only touched the ball 29 times in the second half despite Liverpool pushing for a goal, and he also lost possession 10 times, showing how his slow start continued in this game.

The international break has come at a good time for Liverpool

Losing three games in a row is something of uncharted territory for Liverpool, with this happening for the first time in Slot’s tenure.

Now, however, they may have been saved by the international break, with this now a time needed to reflect and work out what needs to change going forward.

Slot certainly has plenty to think about and he will need to get it right quickly, mainly as it is Manchester United up next when the Premier League resumes.

Of course, there is no need to panic, but with Arsenal looking convincing week after week, Liverpool have to be careful that they do not lose pace before it is too late.