<figure id="attachment_3276623" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3276623" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-3276623 size-full" src="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/bb51ca0d-afp__20260131__94pk3p7__v1__midres__fblengprliverpoolnewcastle_1.webp" alt="" width="1200" height="800" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3276623" class="wp-caption-text">Liverpool’s German midfielder Florian Wirtz (right) shakes hands with Dutch manager Arne Slot as he is substituted during the Premier League match vs Newcastle United. (AFP pic)</figcaption></figure>
LONDON: Florian Wirtz&#8217;s recent good form at Liverpool is the result of a blossoming understanding with his teammates, according to Reds boss Arne Slot.
The £100 million (US$136 million) forward had a tough start to life in the Premier League following his arrival from German side Bayer Leverkusen, with no assists or goals until he set up Alexander Isak in the 2-1 win over Tottenham on Dec 20.
The 22-year-old German scored his first league goal for Liverpool a week later.
Now Wirtz goes into Sunday&#8217;s match at home to Manchester City on a fine run of six goals in his last 10 appearances for the reigning English champions.
&#8220;I think it&#8217;s all, first and foremost, always credit to the player because he has to do the work not only on the pitch, also in the gym,&#8221; Liverpool manager Slot said of Wirtz.
&#8220;And then as a manager, even if he is maybe physically struggling a little bit in the start, you need to keep on playing him because that&#8217;s the only way players can improve,&#8221; he said.
Slot&#8217;s decision to ignore the initial criticism of Wirtz and keep fielding him in his side is certainly now reaping dividends.
&#8220;Maybe now he has a better connection with his team-mates because he played more and more together,&#8221; said Slot.
&#8220;That&#8217;s also what you get if you play them more and more together.
&#8220;But off the ball I see the biggest improvement with him and with some others,&#8221; he added.
&#8220;That combination makes you ready for the Premier League, because the Premier League is about both. It&#8217;s not only on the ball, it&#8217;s also definitely off the ball,&#8221; the Dutchman added.
Recent matches between Liverpool and City have often been pivotal in the English title race.
However, heading into this weekend&#8217;s encounter, only City are in realistic contention to challenge leaders Arsenal, with Liverpool 14 points adrift of the Gunners.
&#8220;It&#8217;s another moment for us to see where we are in the development of this team,&#8221; said Slot ahead of Sunday&#8217;s clash, which follows Liverpool&#8217;s 4-1 win over Newcastle at Anfield last weekend.
&#8220;We also know the importance of a result on Sunday but that goes for all the 20 teams that are playing this weekend in the Premier League.
&#8220;It&#8217;s the end phase of the season so results matter more and more. (City are) a very good team that were even able to win (on Wednesday) against (Newcastle) who we beat during the weekend not even with their starters.
&#8220;That tells you&#8230; what a force City still is and always will be,&#8221; Slot said.

MatchPoint Times

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