Florian Wirtz found himself on the bench for Liverpool’s win over Everton at Anfield last weekend
18:36, 26 Sep 2025Updated 19:23, 26 Sep 2025
Arne Slot and Florian Wirtz during the 2025 FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Florian Wirtz has revealed why Arne Slot benched him for last weekend’s Merseyside derby win over Everton as he offered a honest assessment of his start at Liverpool. The Reds started the summer transfer window with a statement of intent by securing the services of the 22-year-old for a then-British record £116m.
Although he has helped Liverpool start the season perfectly, the German international is yet to contribute a goal or an assist in the Premier League. He also found himself on the bench for last weekend’s 2-1 win over Everton.
And while he accepted the decision made by Arne Slot, he also believes that improving his fitness levels will see him show his best form for Liverpool.
READ MORE: Liverpool’s full injury and suspension list for game against Crystal PalaceREAD MORE: Arne Slot reveals Alexander Isak Liverpool plan after Hugo Ekitike red card
“It could be that I’m trying to pass the ball faster,” he told Sky Germany. “I recently talked to the coach about it, and he suggested why I might not be able to get into the situations I normally get into.
“That is, that I’m making the game fast with a dribble or a pass. He said it could be because we press a lot and I run a lot. For example, the running stats.
“I’m always at the top there because I try to push hard and do what the coach asks. I need a lot of strength and energy for that.
“When I have the ball, I might be lacking a little bit. That it will simply come step by step, as I play more games, get fitter, be able to do things more easily, and then, when I have the ball, be fit enough and recovered enough to push.
“After the Champions League game, he told me I wouldn’t start in the league because he wanted to control the load a bit and see which game I could play better in.
“He decided on the Champions League game, that I would start there and then sit on the bench in the league. I fully understood that. I was able to recover a bit and didn’t have to exert myself as much.”
Wirtz, who scored 57 goals and recorded 62 assists in 197 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen, now shares a dressing room at Anfield with an array of talent, but one of his new team-mates has really stood out.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
£49
£35
Sky
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
He said: “I loved playing for Leverkusen. I loved the fans, the club. When you’re in the stadium in Liverpool, you realise: this is just a little bit above and beyond.
“It’s impressive when ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ is played at Anfield. It does something to you when so many people sing that song. It definitely gets under your skin.
“Without wanting to disparage anyone, it’s simply a step up. Everyone has to fight for their place here and give it their all to be better than their opponents.
“I have to work just as hard as everyone else to have a starting place or to be one of the best. You can see that there are several very, very good players in every position here.
“The one who’s playing very, very well at the moment is Ryan Gravenberch. He’s standing out at the moment.”