Florian Wirtz has “brought exactly what we expected,” according to Slot, before to the Real Madrid Champions League match.
As the Real Madrid defender gets ready to play his boyhood club for the first time since his contentious summer exit, Xabi Alonso has advised Trent Alexander-Arnold to enjoy his “nice” return to Liverpool.
Since Alexander-Arnold enraged Liverpool supporters by departing at the conclusion of his contract last season, he is sure to encounter hostility at Anfield. If Real Madrid hadn’t paid £8.5 million to terminate the England international’s Liverpool contract early and add him to their team for the Club World Cup, he would have left on a free transfer.
On Monday night, the 27-year-old was a member of a Real delegation that placed flowers outside Anfield in honor of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva. Additionally in attendance were Real Madrid’s director of institutional relations, Emilio Butragueño, defender Dean Huijsen, and head coach and former Liverpool midfielder Alonso.
In addition to placing his own bouquet, Alexander-Arnold wrote, “My mate Diogo, you are so missed but still so loved.” The memories of you and André will endure forever. I will never forget the wonderful times we had together, and I constantly smile when I think of you. Every day I miss you, buddy. Love Trent and your family.
Having played in the middle for Liverpool from 2004 to 2009, Alonso is sure to receive a warm welcome from the Anfield faithful. If chosen, he thinks Alexander-Arnold should enjoy playing for his boyhood squad. The Real Madrid head coach stated, “We have talked about the team and the club, but we haven’t talked about that specifically [the reception that awaits Alexander-Arnold].”
He must feel his own emotions and take pleasure in it in his own manner. I won’t tell him how he should feel it, therefore. He was born and raised in Liverpool, so his background is undoubtedly different from mine. I recall him playing in the academy at a young age before joining the first squad and winning the Champions League. Since it is good to be back and will be pleasant for him, he should savor the moment.
Due to a hamstring injury he suffered during his Champions League debut against Marseille on September 16th, the former Liverpool defender’s transfer to Real Madrid has not gone as planned on the field. Since then, he has not played and has not been utilized as a substitute in Real Madrid’s last two games.
However, Alonso stated: “He is good.” Due to the circumstances of the match, he was unable to participate [against Valencia on Saturday], but he is available for any number of minutes. He has excellent qualities, and we need them after his injury, which could prevent him from playing tomorrow. He is in a new phase of his life, both psychologically and physically. He is an outstanding player on our team, therefore we must provide him with everything he needs.
Slot claims that despite their dip, Liverpool is not for stepping up their attacking style. Launches a new window
Despite promising Alexander-Arnold a good reception, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was uncertain about the home crowd’s reaction to the right-back. Slot remarked: “I have wonderful memories of the player and the person, so I can only tell you what kind of reception he receives from me.”
He served as my vice captain the previous season, and I have only good recollections of working with him and of watching him on TV. I can also recall many of his fantastic moments while wearing a Liverpool shirt. I’ll give him a hearty welcome. First, let’s wait and see if he plays tomorrow. I have no idea how the supporters would respond, but I definitely give him a hearty greeting.
Later, Slot stood up for Florian Wirtz, saying the £116 million acquisition had given Liverpool “exactly what we expected” at this point in his career.
After failing to make an impression in the Premier League, the playmaker was benched for Saturday’s victory over Aston Villa and left out of Slot’s starting lineup against Manchester United, Chelsea, and Everton. However, Wirtz has started each of Liverpool’s three Champions League games and might make a comeback when Xabi Alonso’s team visits on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old has yet to score or contribute to a Premier League goal, despite recording two assists in the 5-1 thumping of Eintracht Frankfurt two weeks ago. Slot blamed that unsuccessful run on bad luck and predicted that once the Germany international adjusts to the demands of English football, he will make Liverpool’s then-record outlay worthwhile.
The head coach of Liverpool, who will once more be without injured players Alexander Isak, Alisson, and Jeremie Frimpong against Real, stated, “You can say he’s started one of the last four [two of the last four], but you can also say he’s started 10 already this season.”
We frequently have to play three games in seven days with only two days off in between. I have stated this quite a bit, not as an excuse but simply as the reality. Nine out of ten people would agree that the Premier League is a little more intense in every game for a player from another league, which is, incidentally, a very good league. He has played a lot already, if you look at that. Although he has made an impact in many games, neither he nor his teammates have been fortunate with the final product.
He was a player that produced a lot for the team, which is precisely what we expected, in my opinion. He will have ambitions, but I don’t think anyone is surprised that if you’re 22 or 23 and you’re playing every three days in a foreign league, you would need some time to get used to that level of intensity. When Ryan Gravenberch sat here previously, it took him some time to get used to the intensity—possibly longer than Florian will.
After playing well for Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, Wirtz earned his transfer to Anfield for an initial £100 million plus £16 million in add-ons. Together, they ended Bayern Munich’s 11-game winning streak in the 2023–24 Bundesliga, and Alonso gave Wirtz credit for his own ascent to the position of Real coach. The former midfielder for Liverpool shared Slot’s opinion that the forward will soon establish himself at Anfield.
“I have no doubts,” Alonso declared. It will just take time. He has spent his entire life in Germany, so his move to Liverpool is a significant adjustment. He is a truly unique player. He is competitive and possesses quality and personality. Great Premier League players have experienced it in the past, and I have no concerns about Flo. I’m really thankful to Flo because he is incredibly special and likely one of the reasons I’m here now. I hope not tomorrow, but I am confident he will demonstrate his class and quality.
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