Liverpool continue to face criticism as they strive to bounce back from another loss that has left the defence of their Premier League title in tatters.
Their 3-0 drubbing by Manchester City marked their second consecutive defeat before the international break, following a 2-1 setback against Crystal Palace in September and the anger over the controversial defeat has not helped matters. After 11 matches, the champions find themselves in eighth place, trailing league leaders Arsenal by eight points.
The Reds seemed to have turned things around with wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid, but their spirits took another hit after Sunday’s defeat at the Etihad Stadium. As the third international break of the season commences, the two-week hiatus provides Arne Slot with another chance to pull his team out of the slump that has dogged them for nearly two months.
Here’s the latest news surrounding the Merseyside giants, including Florian Wirtz’s response to his critics and a dressing room chat between two Reds stars.
One of Liverpool’s challenges this season has been Florian Wirtz and his struggles to adjust to life in England’s top-flight.
Given that he’s a player for whom the Reds shattered the British transfer record in a £116m deal, much more was expected from the 22-year-old than what he’s delivered in the first three months of his Liverpool career.
After failing to score or assist in 11 league matches, the German player faced harsh criticism following the 3-0 loss at Etihad Stadium from several ex-players, including Gary Neville, reports the Mirror.
The Manchester United legend, who provided commentary for the match, discussed Wirtz’s performance on the Gary Neville Podcast, describing the attacking midfielder as a “little boy” during the game.
He said: “We’ve been tip-toeing around him haven’t we, for a few months, around the fact that he’s young, coming to a new country. But he’s £120million, you’re going to have to stand up soon. He’s obviously got something.
“He’s a really good player and technically fantastic, but he’s been mauled out there today by [Matheus] Nunes and by others. He’s been chucked around the pitch and didn’t deliver in the quality side of things either. His performance was a real worry.
“Wirtz is a problem, let’s call it what it is. It’s an issue. He’s £120m and he looked like a little boy out there. It can’t be the case. He’s a German international of great standing and he looks well short of what you’d expect from a top physical match.”
Such consistent criticism might be hard for some players to handle, but reportedly not for Wirtz.
According to German outlet BILD, Wirtz has been ignoring Neville’s comments due to the rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United, demonstrating his self-belief that he will eventually prove his worth.
Hugo Ekitike has undoubtedly been Liverpool’s standout summer acquisition and despite netting just one goal since late September, the Frenchman has made a strong impression during his maiden campaign in England.
His impressive early-season displays earned him a maiden call-up to France’s senior squad alongside Ibrahima Konate, with the defender revealing just how driven the 23-year-old is to succeed at both club and international level.
Speaking to Canal+, the 26-year-old disclosed that it was a challenge he issued to Ekitike that demonstrated the lengths he’ll go to in order to reach his potential. He said: “Once, I pulled his ears a little, but it was funny.
“We had to go to the gym after one of the training sessions and the intensity we put into training, it’s true that it’s very hard. And he was tired. I go to him and I tell him: ‘Go ahead, we’re going to the gym there’. And he told me: ‘I’m knocked out here, I’m tired’. In fact, we don’t have to go to the gym, but it’s better to go, because we’re like ‘summoned’.
“I look at him and for two seconds, I don’t talk to him. And I said to him: ‘Do you want to go to the France team or not?’ And then I leave (laughs). A minute later, he was in the dining room (ready to go the gym).
“The anecdote is a bit funny but afterwards, he quickly understood how it happened. In terms of work, he’s someone who is very diligent and who will progress, I have no doubt about that.”
After last season’s contract saga involving Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Reds face a similar predicament with Robertson and Konate.
Both stars see their deals run out at the season’s end, and just months ago it appeared the Scottish defender was set to quit Anfield during the summer window with Atletico Madrid circling.
Yet a switch to the La Liga outfit failed to materialise. Despite beginning the campaign behind Milos Kerkez in the pecking order, the 31-year-old has clawed back his place in Slot’s first XI, with whispers suggesting he might land a new deal based on his recent displays.
Following the defeat to Manchester City, Robertson addressed his contractual uncertainty and appeared to mirror Alexander-Arnold’s approach by insisting any negotiations would remain private.
Robertson revealed: “I think last season everyone was bored of talking about the three lads [Salah, Van Dijk, and Trent], but for me, the relationship between me and the club has been a wonderful one. They’ve done everything for me and my family, and I think I’ve not been too bad for them either.
“Whatever happens will happen behind closed doors, and I’m relaxed about it. If it is my last year, then it’s my last year. If it’s not, then so be it.”
