Florian Wirtz benched by Liverpool manager Arne Slot amid criticism

Florian Wirtz, the £116 million signing from Bayer Leverkusen, has been sidelined by Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot for the upcoming match against Chelsea. Since his arrival, Wirtz has struggled to make an immediate impact, failing to score or assist in his first six Premier League appearances.

His performance has attracted criticism, notably from Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, who suggested that Slot should remove Wirtz from the team following the recent Champions League defeat by Galatasaray. In response, Slot decided to bench Wirtz for Saturday’s game in London.

Carragher commented on CBS: “Right now, the team’s balance isn’t right, and Wirtz stands out as a player who needs to come out. He’s just not at his best. He’s young, adjusting to a new league, but he needs time to rebuild confidence and help stabilize the team.”

Despite the recent setbacks, Wirtz still has supporters. German football legend Rudi Voller expressed confidence in his potential, saying: “Florian is adjusting to a new club and league. These are normal growing pains, and with his ability, he will make a breakthrough.”

Although Wirtz hasn’t yet played a full 90 minutes in the Premier League, he has shown promising signs, creating 21 chances so far—second only to Jack Grealish—but has yet to deliver a decisive, match-winning moment for Liverpool.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher also remarked on Wirtz’s role, noting that with Liverpool’s many new signings, Wirtz hasn’t yet found his place in the team: “He has great ability, but it’s clear he’s not fitting in as well as others, and his early performances have been slow.” Additionally, Carragher believes Wirtz’s high transfer fee may have disrupted Liverpool’s balance, though he remains optimistic about his future development.

Wirtz continues to adapt to Liverpool and the Premier League, aiming to improve his form and find his rhythm within the team.