Numbers prove Arne Slot right: Florian Wirtz quality never in doubt

Florian Wirtz is finally justifying the hype at Liverpool. The 22-year-old Germany international, signed from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m last summer, endured a slow start at Anfield but is now delivering the performances expected of a club-record signing. Recent statistics confirm that Arne Slot's faith in the playmaker has been well placed.

The slow start: Adaptation to a new system

When Liverpool announced the £116m deal for Wirtz — the most expensive signing in the club's history — expectations soared. However, the German found the transition to the Premier League challenging. He managed only two goals and three assists in his first 12 appearances, with some critics questioning the fee.

Slot, though, never wavered. The Dutch manager insisted that Wirtz's underlying numbers were strong and that his influence would grow. The data supports that claim: his expected assists per 90 were among the highest at Liverpool even during that early period. Now, the creative output is matching the statistics.

Statistical turnaround: Form and impact

Over the past month, Wirtz has registered three goals and five assists in six Premier League starts. His dribble success rate has climbed to 68 per cent, and he is creating an average of 3.2 chances per game. For context, that places him in the top three for chance creation among all Premier League midfielders since November.

His link-up play with Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah has become increasingly dangerous. Wirtz's ability to drift into half-spaces and pick out through-balls is unlocking defences that previously sat deep against Liverpool. The £116m price tag — which raised eyebrows when it surpassed the club's previous record — now looks like a strategic investment in world-class talent.

How Wirtz fits Slot's tactical blueprint

Slot prefers a fluid attacking system where no player is fixed in a position. Wirtz, who primarily operates as an attacking midfielder or on the left, thrives in this environment. He is averaging 1.8 key passes per game from open play, and his pressing intensity (23 pressures per 90) suits Slot's high-energy style.

His arrival also allows Liverpool to rotate between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-3-3 without losing creativity. When Wirtz plays centrally, he occupies defenders and creates space for the full-backs to overlap. His numbers suggest he is most dangerous when starting from deep and driving at the opposition defence — something Slot has encouraged by giving him freedom to roam.

Transfer market context: Record fee justified?

Liverpool's £116m outlay made Wirtz the second-most expensive Bundesliga export after Jude Bellingham (£115m to Real Madrid). At the time, many questioned whether an attacking midfielder was a priority given the presence of Dominik Szoboszlai and Harvey Elliott. Critics pointed to the fee as excessive for a player with only one season of elite Champions League experience.

However, Wirtz's recent form offers a convincing rebuttal. His underlying expected goal involvement numbers (0.76 per 90) now exceed his Leverkusen peak under Xabi Alonso. The data proves that the quality Slot saw in training was always there — it just took time to translate in matches.

Fantasy Premier League implications

Wirtz's ownership in FPL has surged to 18.3 per cent after a run of 19 points in his last three gameweeks. Priced at £8.0m, he is now the third-most transferred-in midfielder this week. Liverpool's upcoming fixtures include home games against Nottingham Forest, Ipswich Town, and Wolverhampton — all ranked in the bottom half for defensive stats. For FPL managers seeking a differential with high upside, Wirtz is becoming a compelling option.

What's next for Wirtz and Liverpool

Liverpool's Champions League campaign resumes next week, and Wirtz will be crucial to their hopes of silverware. The team sits second in the Premier League, three points behind Arsenal, with a game in hand. If Wirtz maintains his current form, he could be the difference-maker in the title race. The £116m question has been answered by numbers that now speak for themselves.