“If I Start Him Today, I’ve Failed!” – Slot Benches £80m Wirtz in Pre-Bournemouth Shock
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has made his boldest call yet, dropping marquee summer signing Florian Wirtz from the starting XI just hours before the Reds face Bournemouth at Anfield.
In a press conference that stunned reporters, Slot made his stance clear:
“If I start him today, then I have failed my duty as a coach. The time I gave him to prove himself is over — there’s no time for experiments anymore.”
From Dream Signing to Doubt
When Liverpool secured Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, fans hailed the 21-year-old as the creative heartbeat to transform the midfield — a player capable of rivaling Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne in influence.
But preseason reality bit hard. Wirtz’s performances were marked by misplaced passes, lost duels under pressure, and a lack of chemistry with Slot’s high-intensity pressing game. Despite extra minutes in later friendlies, he failed to deliver the breakout display Slot was waiting for.
Why Slot Pulled the Trigger
According to club insiders, the Dutchman decided today’s fixture was too important for indulgence. “I’m here to win matches, not hand out shirts based on names or price tags,” Slot reportedly told his backroom staff.
Fanbase Divided
The decision has split opinion on Merseyside:
- “Slot isn’t here to play favourites — perform or sit, even at £80m.”
- “This early in the season? He’s risking the lad’s confidence.”
High Stakes from the Bench
Wirtz will watch the opening exchanges from the sidelines, knowing any cameo appearance will come under intense scrutiny. Impress and he silences the critics. Falter, and his starting role could slip further out of reach.
With three points on the line, Slot’s gamble has turned a routine league opener into a pressure-cooker. Anfield will soon find out if this was tough love that sparks a revival — or the first crack in Liverpool’s record signing
