Arne Slot needs more from $269M duo who could help decide Liverpool future

Liverpool has generally looked better in defense in recent weeks, but Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike will need to drag the attack forward to improve things for Arne Slot

Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike have done well for Liverpool this season. (Image: Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

For all that Arne Slot probably didn't need to mention Liverpool losing to Atalanta in the Europa League a few months before he arrived, he was right not to get too carried away by beating Qarabag.

The Reds boss was, in effect, pointing out that those who say he only won the Premier League because he took on Jurgen Klopp's team in the summer of 2024 are failing to paint the full picture. Liverpool was not perfect when he arrived, and no matter the ills of this campaign, his achievement in winning the title should not be forgotten.

Under pressure to improve his side's Premier League position, though, Slot irked some when he brought up the chastening Atalanta defeat. And frankly, those who have taken against him needed no more ammunition to take aim with.

The real question, rather than any posed and answered in press conferences, is whether Slot can use the Champions League performances as a way of increasing the positivity in domestic matters too.

When Liverpool plays at Anfield against Newcastle United on Saturday, for instance, will those heading through the turnstiles be any more confident of a victory as a result of the midweek goalfest? In all likelihood, the answer is no.

In an attack that has often been misfiring, however, there are two big hopes. In summer signings Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, Slot has found two real gems — not that it should be a complete surprise given their $269 million (£195 million) combined price tags.

Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike after the pair combined to score Liverpool's second goal in their 6-0 Champions League win at home to Qarabag (Image: Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)

Wirtz will not have anywhere near as much space when he takes to the field against Newcastle this weekend, but he showed some real class in the European game midweek.

The German has started to show what he can do in recent weeks and is now up to five goals and seven assists in all competitions. His relationship with Ekitike appears to be growing too.

Brought in from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer, Ekitike has since scored 13 goals and laid on another four for his teammates. The Frenchman has arguably been the stand-out buy.

But if Slot's team is to go far in this season's Champions League and qualify for the next edition, it is going to need to do even more in the final third.

The defensive lapses last weekend at Bournemouth were, in the last month or six weeks, an anomaly. What was lacking was that extra stardust in attack.

Wirtz, as the central creative hub, and Ekitike, the only number nine available, will need to continue their good form, helping to bring more from the likes of Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah in the process.

Without them firing, Liverpool has no chance of achieving its aims this season. If they maintain their form or even get better, however, the pressure on Slot should start to ease.