Arne Slot has yet to figure out how to get the most out of Florian Wirtz and Mo Salah on the pitch together.
The story of Liverpool’s season has been the merging of the old guard and the new generation of Reds — it hasn’t been smooth sailing.
During the soap opera of last month, it was claimed that Salah wasn’t happy with Wirtz, seeing the arrival as a threat to his position as the main man at Anfield.
The legitimacy of that claim is difficult to verify, but from the German’s perspective, he has only good things to say. He was recently asked about his first impressions of Salah.
One thing stands out to Florian Wirtz about Mo Salah
Wirtz and Salah are yet to form the connection many were predicting when his signature was announced.
Pairing one of Europe’s best playmakers with last season’s most lethal attacking force looked a recipe for success, but it hasn’t quite panned out that way.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t respect between the two. Wirtz did a Q&A with Sky Sports DE, where he was asked if anything about his star teammate took him by surprise.
Wirtz responded: “He’s so professional, his body, he looks fit, and I already knew he has to work hard to be that fit.”
Gut feeling, has Mohamed Salah played his last game for Liverpool? If yes, how do you feel about it?
One criticism that has been brought up this season is that Wirtz doesn’t suit the physicality of the Premier League, but he has looked better in that regard with each passing month.
If he hasn’t already, it might be worth picking Salah’s brain for tips on getting in world-class shape.
Wirtz names his footballing idol
Another question posed to Wirtz was regarding the player he idolised growing up.
His answer isn’t particularly exciting, but it’s obvious for a reason.
He names Lionel Messi as a player he has tried to model his game after. If he can become half the player Messi was in his day, that would be £100 million well spent.
Which player does Florian Wirtz remind you of the most?
He has been compared before to Lionel Messi, Luka Modric and now Peter Beardsley
Wirtz is looking more and more like the superstar he was tipped to become at Liverpool. Slot is figuring out how to make use of his technical wizardry.
Let’s hope Salah’s return from AFCON doesn’t throw him out of his groove and the two can start combining in front of goal.
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