Wirtz receives fresh backing from Slot and Van Dijk ahead of Man Utd clash

Liverpool boss Arne Slot and captain Virgil van Dijk have come to the defence of record signing Florian Wirtz, stressing that the £116 million midfielder simply needs time to find his rhythm at Anfield.

Wirtz arrived in the summer as part of Liverpool’s £446 million spending spree but has yet to register a goal or an assist in seven Premier League outings and two Champions League games.

While criticism of the young playmaker has been rife, he has still charted 11 chances created in the Premier League this term, and has tallied 18 chances created across all competitions.

Despite the lack of end product, both Slot and Van Dijk believe his performances have shown real promise beneath the surface.

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Speaking ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester United, Slot told Sky Sports: “When you cost that much money, everyone only looks at goals and assists. But honestly, he could already have six or seven assists if the finishing had matched his vision. He’s been incredibly unlucky.

“In the Chelsea game, within a minute of coming on, he played this brilliant flick through to Mo Salah.

“Ninety-nine times out of a hundred that’s a goal — well, maybe 98, because the last time Mo had one like that from Florian, against Atletico Madrid, he hit the post.

“To get the best out of him, it’s of course necessary for him to play and that’s what he did and what he’s going to do in the upcoming weeks.”

Slot’s side head into Sunday’s derby with United coming off the back of three consecutive defeats, having lost to Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, and Chelsea.

Van Dijk echoed his boss’ sentiment, adding that Wirtz “has shown flashes of real quality. It’s only a matter of time before the numbers come.

“I don’t think it’s good to focus purely on Florian in this case. The quality that he, Alexander [Isak], Hugo [Ekitike], Milos [Kerkez] has, there is no doubt about that.

“It’s just about being together, improving and being successful. Every day that goes by in training or the games is another opportunity to get close together.”