Liverpool manager Arne Slot has hit back at comments made by former Arsenal boss Arsène Wenger, who claimed that the signing of Florian Wirtz has “destroyed” the Reds’ balance this season.

Wenger’s criticism came after Liverpool endured a rough patch earlier in the campaign, losing six of their last seven matches before bouncing back with recent victories over Aston Villa and Real Madrid.

Slot, however, dismissed Wenger’s remarks, insisting that Wirtz remains a crucial part of Liverpool’s long-term visionand has already shown his quality since joining from Bayer Leverkusen during the summer transfer window.

The Dutch coach said Wenger’s comments were “unfair and outdated,” noting that Liverpool’s struggles were more about adapting to new tactics than about individual performances.

“Wirtz is a fantastic player — young, intelligent, and hungry to improve. The idea that one player can destroy a team is simply not true,”
Slot told reporters.
“We had a difficult spell, yes, but that was part of a transition period. The team is finding its rhythm again, and Wirtz is a big part of that progress.”

Florian Wirtz, who was one of Europe’s most sought-after midfielders last season, joined Liverpool amid high expectations following his standout performances under Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen.

While Liverpool’s form wavered in the early weeks of the campaign, Slot believes patience and consistency will see the team return to its best.

With back-to-back wins restoring confidence, the Reds boss appears determined to silence critics and prove that Liverpool’s rebuild — with Wirtz at its heart — is firmly on track.