![\"Arne](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_Liverpool-v-Athletic-Bilbao-Pre-Season-Friendly-Anfield.jpg\")
Arne Slot knows Florian Wirtz has the ability to succeed at Liverpool(Image: PA)<\/p>\nArne Slot casually dropped in the names of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mo Salah when talking about Liverpool signing Florian Wirtz’s potential<\/p>\n
Chris McKenna Football and Boxing Reporter<\/p>\n
22:30, 14 Aug 2025Updated 22:31, 14 Aug 2025<\/p>\n
Arne Slot knows Florian Wirtz has the ability to succeed at Liverpool(Image: PA)<\/p>\n
Arne Slot knows Florian Wirtz has the ability but he has laid down the challenge to the Liverpool<\/a> new boy to show his robustness to reach the very top. The Reds boss casually dropped in the names of Lionel Messi<\/a>, Cristiano Ronaldo<\/a> and Mo Salah<\/a> when talking about the \u00a3116m man\u2019s potential.<\/p>\n But it wasn\u2019t any particular skillset of those three greats of the game that Slot was highlighting – it was their availability. The more games you are fit for the more games you can make a big impression in was the message ahead of life in English footballl.<\/p>\n As the former Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Wirtz prepares to begin his Premier League<\/a> career on Friday night against Bournemouth<\/a>, Slot offered his view on what he needs to do to fulfil his potential.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything we expect is very positive but between expecting and realising something is different,\u201d said Slot. \u201cWhy is Messi and Ronaldo and Mo, why are they so highly regarded? Because they are always fit.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery single game they are fit and that is something that Florian first has to show in a league like ours. If he is able to stay to fit then our fans will see great moments.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: Newcastle given two drastic options to end Alexander Isak and Liverpool transfer saga<\/a>READ MORE: Liverpool told Mikel Arteta to blame for transfer heartache after secret Arsenal chat<\/a><\/p>\n If Wirtz gets anywhere near the regard Salah is held on Merseyside then he will have fulfilled his potential. But, in a summer of change for Liverpool with over \u00a3300m spent and more to come while nearly \u00a3200m coming in from transfers out, Salah will find differences in the way the team will play.<\/p>\n Not least the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold<\/a>, who he played 70 per cent of his games in a red shirt with bringing his total tally of goals to 245 and counting. On Friday night he will have Jeremie Frimpong behind him and, when he is fit, it could be Conor Bradley.<\/p>\n Salah seemed a bit isolated in Liverpool\u2019s defeat on penalties against Crystal Palace<\/a> last week as he struggled to impact the game but Slot is not concerned by that.<\/p>\n \u201cNo the last time we were at Wembley he didn\u2019t play his best game as well,\u201d said Slot, referencing the Carabao Cup final defeat by Newcastle<\/a> last season.<\/p>\n \u201cBy the way Trent wasn\u2019t playing behind them then, it was Jarell [Quansah]. But even players like Mo can have a game where they maybe don\u2019t play how we expect them to play.<\/p>\n \u201cThe good thing for us is that it hardly ever happens, he is nine out of 10 times the best version of himself and sometimes it is also the quality of the opponent or the playing style of the opponent that makes it really difficult for him.\u201d<\/p>\n Slot cited Palace\u2019s low block and directness from open play posing problems for Liverpool. It is why he has tried to evolve the team this summer, as well as players wanting to move on.<\/p>\n Wirtz, 22, is one player who can unlock any defence given his brilliance in the Bundesliga. Anfield will get their first competitive viewing of the Germany international in a Liverpool shirt and excitement is brewing on Merseyside about him more so than any other signing – and there\u2019s been plenty.<\/p>\n Yet with it comes the pressure of the huge fee. Something Slot is not concerned about. \u201cHe might be young but he already won a lot,\u201d he said. \u201cFactually, we can see him as a young player but in terms of his experience, I don\u2019t see him as a young player.<\/p>\n \u201cHe won the league with Germany, won the cup, has played for his country numerous times and apart from that, his mentality is his biggest strength.<\/p>\n \u201cThat says a lot because if you see him play, you\u2019re like: \u2018Are you serious because he\u2019s so creative\u2019. But how mentally strong he is, he doesn\u2019t get distracted at all by a transfer fee or anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a343<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"Florian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_GettyImages-2228707820.jpg\")
Florian Wirtz in action during the Community Shield (Image: Nigel French\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Lionel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_Lionel-Messi-Cristiano-Ronaldo-25035601408516.jpg\")
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both regarded as the best players of their generation(Image: AP)<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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