Three lions legend tells Slot to either build his team around Wirtz or sell him

In the hottest of takes, an iconic former England international has weighed into the ongoing debate concerning Liverpool’s summer signing Florian Wirtz after the German has struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League.

Chris Waddle is the latest pundit to tell Arne Slot how to get the best out of his expensively recruited playmaker Florian Wirtz, 22. Wirtz, who joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen this summer for £116m, has struggled to hit the ground running after establishing himself as one of the biggest stars in the Bundesliga.

A different set of demands for Wirtz

Speaking this week to women’s football portal SheKicks.net, Waddle explained that Wirtz is finding it difficult to adapt to the demands of the Premier League, saying:

“Obviously Wirtz has come on the market and he was sensational in Germany, and so they took a look at him. He was cruising in the Bundesliga, he ran most of the games and he was electric. But the Premier League is a different set of demands. It’s more physical, it drains the legs. It’s more demanding.”

Waddle stated that Wirtz has the quality to become a Premier League star, but Liverpool boss Arne Slot needs to start playing him in his preferred position, while highlighting that the Reds defensive vulnerabilities are also affecting Wirtz’ performances.

“Wirtz has proved already that he’s quality, and we know he has ability and now the job for Arne Slot is to get the system right to fit him in. But even if and when he does that, the main concern for the team is their defensive weaknesses,” Waddle said.

Be braver and build around Wirtz or sell him

Waddle then sensationally told Arne Slot to either build his team around the mercurial talents or Wirtz or move him on, the footballing equivalent to saying ‘shit or get off the pot’.

“I think they need to be braver. Wirtz has to play off a striker as he did at Leverkusen. That’s where he was so good. Either you build the side around him or you conclude he’s not the right player to fit Liverpool’s approach, and it was a mistake to buy him. You need to ask if the Premier League is too quick or physical for him. I think their task for now is to work out how to get the best from him. But looking at his body language, he does not look confident at all,” Waddle concluded.