Liverpool news: Arne Slot to test resolve for £75m star as Florian Wirtz handed ultimatum

All the latest news from Liverpool as Florian Wirtz is told how to get his Liverpool career up and running

Liverpool’s season hit a drastic new low on Sunday after they were beaten by Manchester United at Anfield. The Red Devils marked their first win at the home of the Reds since 2016 thanks to a late Harry Maguire header.

The 2-1 defeat comes off the back of Chelsea’s win over the Reds before the international break. That setback was preceded by 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace a week earlier, while their miserable run also saw Slot’s team lose away to Galatasaray in the Champions League.

Liverpool have come into the new season off the back of a huge spending spree that’s rarely been seen at Anfield in recent years. The Reds splashed out £446m on the likes of Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni and Hugo Ekitike.

Arne Slot has been forced to navigate several issues this season already, from unlocking the potential of Wirtz to dealing with injuries to Alisson Becker and Italian defender Leoni.

Mirror Football takes a look at the latest news coming out of Anfield, with Wirtz told what he must do as tensions rise on the training pitch. The Reds are also rumoured to be circling Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo.

READ MORE: Liverpool handed uncomfortable Alexander Isak truth with clock ticking for Arne SlotREAD MORE: Jamie Carragher forced to make emphatic Arsenal U-turn with Liverpool comparison

Liverpool to bid for Antoine Semenyo

Reports suggest that Liverpool will raid Bournemouth for Semenyo in January. The Ghana international has impressed potential suitors so far this season with nine goal contributions in seven Premier League appearances, including two goals against Liverpool.

While Semenyo has a contract that could keep him at the Vitality Stadium until summer 2030, he reportedly has a release clause. However, the amount it would cost to prise away Semenyo is currently unknown, although rumours state it could be around £75m.

According to talkSPORT, Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes is also a ‘big admirer’ of the player. Tottenham Hotspur have been strongly linked with the 25-year-old, but according to the i, it’s the Reds who are strongly considering a move to ‘push the button’ on a sensational move.

The apparent move for the forward comes over concerns for Mohamed Salah’s form. Two poor displays against Chelsea and United, have seen calls raised for the Egyptian to be dropped, and although the Reds icon does have three goals and three assists so far this season, he has been far from his best.

Andy Robertson’s angry reaction

Robertson’s angry outburst in a sprinting drill involving Cody Gakpo and Wirtz has been caught on camera. The Scot’s frustration perhaps epitomised the current mood around Anfield as he launched into an X-rated rant, shouting: “f*** off” towards the coach overseeing the drill before he launched a ball into the ground.

The exercise in question was carried out to test reaction times, with players racing to a finish line after collecting a ball. Robertson believed he had won the task until informed otherwise, prompting him to throw his training ball in at the ground.

While no doubt Robertson’s off-colour is just another example of the intense competitive nature that world-class footballers bring to training every day, fans will no doubt sense the short clip could indicate further issues at the Reds.

However, the veteran left-back has lost his place to summer signing Milos Kerkez for the majority of games so far this season, meaning his outburst could have a deeper meaning.

Wirtz told what he must do

Dietmar Hamann has told Wirtz he needs to find a way to kick-start his season. The £116m German star has struggled to fit into Arne Slot’s system so far.

Wirtz has just one assist from his 11 appearances for the Reds so far, and he has not made a goal contribution since the Community Shield in August. Wirtz has even found himself out of favour, having been named on the bench against both Chelsea and United.

Despite showing flourishes of his talent, ex-Liverpool star Hamman has given advice to Wirtz to get his career back on track. “Confidence is low for Florian Wirtz,” former Liverpool midfielder Hamann told ESports News UK.

“He’s performed adequately for the national team without excelling. You hope that one goal or one assist can change everything, but it hasn’t happened yet. He works hard when he starts, that’s not why he was brought in.

“He needs to impact the game in the final third, which he hasn’t done enough despite showing glimpses when coming on, but he needs that one unexpected moment – an assist or a goal – to get that monkey off his back. The longer it goes, the more people will talk and write about it, and his confidence will decline even further.”

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