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Arne Slot and Florian Wirtz during the 2025 FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool(Image: Chris Brunskill\/Fantasista\/Getty Images)<\/p>\nFlorian Wirtz found himself on the bench for Liverpool’s win over Everton at Anfield last weekend<\/p>\n
18:36, 26 Sep 2025Updated 19:23, 26 Sep 2025<\/p>\n
Arne Slot and Florian Wirtz during the 2025 FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool(Image: Chris Brunskill\/Fantasista\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Florian Wirtz has revealed why Arne Slot benched him for last weekend’s Merseyside derby win over Everton as he offered a honest assessment of his start at Liverpool. The Reds started the summer transfer window with a statement of intent by securing the services of the 22-year-old<\/a> for a then-British record \u00a3116m.<\/p>\n Although he has helped Liverpool start the season perfectly, the German international is yet to contribute a goal or an assist in the Premier League<\/a>. He also found himself on the bench for last weekend\u2019s 2-1 win over Everton<\/a>.<\/p>\n And while he accepted the decision made by Arne Slot<\/a>, he also believes that improving his fitness levels will see him show his best form for Liverpool<\/a>.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Liverpool’s full injury and suspension list for game against Crystal Palace<\/a>READ MORE: Arne Slot reveals Alexander Isak Liverpool plan after Hugo Ekitike red card<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt could be that I’m trying to pass the ball faster,\u201d he told Sky Germany<\/a>. \u201cI recently talked to the coach about it, and he suggested why I might not be able to get into the situations I normally get into.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is, that I’m making the game fast with a dribble or a pass. He said it could be because we press a lot and I run a lot. For example, the running stats.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m always at the top there because I try to push hard and do what the coach asks. I need a lot of strength and energy for that.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I have the ball, I might be lacking a little bit. That it will simply come step by step, as I play more games, get fitter, be able to do things more easily, and then, when I have the ball, be fit enough and recovered enough to push.<\/p>\n “After the Champions League<\/a> game, he told me I wouldn’t start in the league because he wanted to control the load a bit and see which game I could play better in.<\/p>\n \u201cHe decided on the Champions League game, that I would start there and then sit on the bench in the league. I fully understood that. I was able to recover a bit and didn’t have to exert myself as much.”<\/p>\n Wirtz, who scored 57 goals and recorded 62 assists in 197 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen, now shares a dressing room at Anfield<\/a> with an array of talent, but one of his new team-mates has really stood out.<\/p>\n Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a349<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n Get Sky Sports here<\/a><\/p>\n Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports<\/a> bundle for the 2025\/26 season, saving members \u00a3336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.<\/p>\n Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1755048431_935_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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