3 weeks ago
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Liverpool chairman Tom Werner has defended the club’s summer spending, and in particular the signing of Florian Wirtz after what has been a difficult start to the season for the German and the Reds.
Having undergone a major spending spree following last season’s title triumph, things have not gone to plan so far for Arne Slot’s side after records were broken to bring Wirtz and Alexander Isak to Anfield.
The Reds already find themselves lagging eight points behind Premier League leader Arsenal after 11 games, with some pundits suggesting their title hopes are already over, while Jamie Carragher believes they need to dip back into the market in January.
While all of Liverpool’s new signings have come under scrutiny so far, Wirtz in particular has come under the microscope following his much-vaunted move from Bayer Leverkusen.
The 23-year-old has failed to score a goal in his 16 appearances for his new club, while only providing three assists so far, with none of his goal contributions coming in the league.
Wirtz has come in for some harsh criticism for his recent performances, with questions still lingering about his best position in Slot’s team, but Werner insists there are no regrets over his signing.
“When you have the opportunity to sign players of that caliber, you have to go for it,” Werner told The Athletic.
“Take someone like Florian, he’s a remarkable talent. We could be looking at a future Ballon d’Or winner. Out of all the things that have been said about Florian, if even half of them come true, he’ll be a huge contributor for us.
“This summer was a different scenario to last summer. We felt there were players available who could strengthen us, and I’m sure those fans who always want us to spend money in the transfer market are happy with some of the decisions we took.”
Liverpool has a lot of work to do if it is to claw its way back into the title race this season, starting with this weekend’s game against Nottingham Forest.
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Werner though is not panicking about the Reds’ poor recent form, insisting that things will improve for Slot and his side eventually.
“It’s hard climbing Mount Everest once. It’s hard climbing it the second time,” Werner added.
“In fact, it might even get harder each time because the intensity you have when you achieve something together for the first time is so strong.
“I hope we’re not at the pinnacle. I hope that when we’re sat here chatting in five years, we have more incredible memories to look back on.”
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