Arne Slot launches strong Florian Wirtz defense and makes Jurgen Klopp transfer point

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has defended Florian Wirtz as the record-breaking signing's performances have come under question ahead of the Reds' second leg against Paris Saint-Germain

Florian Wirtz has had a tough first season at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Arne Slot launched a staunch defense of Florian Wirtz and Liverpool’s transfer strategy as the German prepares for his biggest test yet with the Reds.

Having made a record-breaking move from Bayer Leverkusen in what was seen as a huge coup for Liverpool last summer, beating the likes of Bayern Munich and Manchester City to his signature, Wirtz hasn’t quite hit the heights many had expected him to.

The 22-year-old has six goals and nine assists to his name from 43 appearances for the Reds, and he has faced some questions over his recent performances, having initially looked to have been finding his feet at the turn of the year.

The subject of Wirtz’s performances was brought up by a reporter as Slot addressed the media in his press conference ahead of the quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain this week, with Liverpool needing to overturn a 2-0 deficit at Anfield.

Although it was suggested that Wirtz had been bought by Liverpool to make the difference on such occasions, perhaps adding pressure ahead of Tuesday’s game, Slot insisted that the club is looking at a bigger picture.

“What we did after Jurgen [Klopp] left, 18 months ago, and we always knew that it would be a transition, because we knew it would be the end of a cycle and we always knew we would have to recoup money, which we did by selling 10, 11 or 12 players I think,” Slot said as he launched a defense of the club’s transfer strategy.

Arne Slot has defended Florian Wirtz's time at Liverpool so far

"And we have spent that money on young, very talented players that get their times to build on the same cycle as the last seven or eight years has been with the players who have already left or will do at the end of the season.

"So that is why we brought in Florian, Alex [Isak], Hugo [Ekitike], Milos [Kerkez], Jeremie [Frimpong], young, talented players to create a new cycle and therefore we need a lot of players to leave to find the money to buy them.

"We didn’t add Florian Wirtz to the team that played PSG. We bought him to be successful in the future, which could be the near future or the mid to long term future. And we bought him and others - young players - to create a new successful cycle, and the sooner that happens, the better it is.

"I am convinced that either tomorrow or next season or the season after soon he (Wirtz) will, like Milos, Alex, Jeremie, like [Jeremy] Jacquet - another 19-year-old we are bringing in this summer - will have special moments here at Anfield and tomorrow is the first opportunity for him and the others, but we didn’t bring him in for this single, particular game."

Liverpool.com says: We get Slot's point, but at this stage, we do need to be seeing some results from Wirtz. He's had nearly a full season with Liverpool now, and while there have been glimpses of the sort of player many were expecting, it hasn't been the introduction we were hoping for.

Obviously, it is too early to write him off in any way, but a performance against the European champions tomorrow what settle a few nerves ahead of what will be a big second season for Wirtz, when we really will need to see him start controlling matters in games.