Arne Slot said Florian Wirtz had to reach the level of Mohamed Salah to meet Liverpool's expectations for a record contract.
Wirtz will have the Premier League debut when the champion starts the season at home to welcome Bournemouth. Slot stated that “the integration of the German player is better than expected, and we have expected a lot”, but acknowledged the more accurate measure that will come from the Premier League.
Liverpool considered the 22 -year -old player a breakthrough contract similar to Virgil Van Dijk and Alisson. The Dutch coach believed that Wirtz could have a similar effect by imitating Salah, who scored 9 goals in the opening matches of the season, a Premier League record.
Slot, when asked if Wirtz is a contract to bring Liverpool to a new level, answered: “That's what I can only answer in the coming years. Everything we expect is very positive, but between expectations and realizing something is different.”
“Why is Messi, Ronaldo and Mo so appreciated? Because they are always healthy. They are always healthy in every match and that is what Florian must first show in the Premier League. If he can maintain physical strength, our fans will witness great moments.”
“Liverpool did this before,” he said. “With Alisson Becker, we spent a lot of money, with Virgil we spent a lot of money, and with inflation, I thought it was (level of) a Liverpool contract. We mainly make these contracts. But we also sell players. If we make these contracts, we also have to sell players.”
“He is a player who is different from what we have. That's what we want – to bring another player model instead of adding a person we have. It is positive when we can bring back such a highly appreciated player, but I think Liverpool can always bring back players like this.”
